There are three subspecies included in this description.  Together, they are found in all coastal counties of Florida and many inland ones.  As a gras , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure t , Wildlife, Muhly grass forms a low canopy that small animals can use for shelter and refuge. Small birds eat the seeds. , Habitat, Flatwoods, marshes, scrub. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage

Wildflower garden or butterfly garden. A number of cultivars exist, but none are grown widely in Florida. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Self-seeds, so it can become weedy. , Habitat, Dry sites. Ruderal. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Attracts many butterflies and  pollinators.

Flower color varies, which gives the plant a multi-hued array of flowers. Listed as Threatened in Florida Specimen plant where its showy, multi-color , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Wildlife, Good cover for birds, and birds and other wildlife enjoy the fruit. , Habitat, Pine rockland, rockland hammock. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Larval host for the Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunneus). Nectar plant for a variety of butterflies.

Specimen plant, edge, understory shrub. Can be grown in a large container. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Old leaf bases form long stiff spines. , Wildlife, Provides good wildlife cover. , Habitat, Moist-wet sites. Seep slope forests, regularly but shallowly inundated floodplains, seepage swamps especially associated with springs, hydric seepage , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage, Thorns Attracts beetles.

Depending on cold, this may keep its leaves all year or die back during the winter. In colder areas, consider growing it as an annual. It adapts well , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Depending on site, this plant may spread more than preferred, but easy to pull up if it is not wanted , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Interesting foliage Larval host for Fulvous Hairstreak. Attracts pollinators

Use as an accent tree or shrub. It has a long blooming period, tolerates poor soils, and is easy to grow. , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt , Wildlife, Attracts small birds. Attracts hummingbirds , Habitat, Shell mound, maritime hammock, beach dune, coastal strand, inland borders of marine tidal swamp, marine tidal marsh (salt marsh). , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Attracts many insect pollinators including bees, butterflies, and moths.