''Muhlenbergia sericea'',
synonym ''Muhlenbergia filipes'',
[ known as gulf hairawn muhly or sweet grass, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. It is native to the ]Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, also referred to as the American Southeast or simply the Southeast, is a geographical region of the United States. It is located broadly on the eastern portion of the southern United States and the southern por ...
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas).[Muhlenbergia filipes M.A. Curtis](_blank)
USDA PLANTS
Uses
Seminole basketry
Among Florida's Seminole
The Seminole are a Native American people who developed in Florida in the 18th century. Today, they live in Oklahoma and Florida, and comprise three federally recognized tribes: the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, ...
Indians, sweetgrass was the most commonly used material for basket weaving. These baskets were often sold in tourist gift shops. In recent years, sweetgrass is becoming harder to find in South Florida. It is now only harvested during certain times of the year and in just a few locations.[Seminole Basket Collection : Technique](_blank)
Florida Museum of Natural History
African American arts
This grass has historical importance in South Carolina
)'' Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no)
, anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind"
, Former = Province of South Carolina
, seat = Columbia
, LargestCity = Charleston
, LargestMetro = ...
, where it has been used for basket weaving
Basket weaving (also basketry or basket making) is the process of weaving or sewing pliable materials into three-dimensional artifacts, such as baskets, mats, mesh bags or even furniture. Craftspeople and artists specialized in making baskets ...
. African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
s from the Gullah
The Gullah () are an African American ethnic group who predominantly live in the Lowcountry region of the U.S. states of Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina, within the coastal plain and the Sea Islands. Their language and cultu ...
tradition in the South Carolina Lowcountry
The Lowcountry (sometimes Low Country or just low country) is a geographic and cultural region along South Carolina's coast, including the Sea Islands. The region includes significant salt marshes and other coastal waterways, making it an impor ...
still weave artistic baskets using this native grass.Sweetgrass for Baskets
References
sericea
Grasses of the United States
Flora of the Southeastern United States
South Carolina culture
Garden plants of North America
Drought-tolerant plants
Flora without expected TNC conservation status
{{Chloridoideae-stub