| Author | L. | |
| Distribution | Coastal Plain, Outer Banks/barrier islands, and southern Piedmont; rare in the Sandhills proper.
Native to the Mediterranean region; in eastern N.A. from VA to FL, TX, OK, and AR. | |
| Abundance | Generally uncommon to frequent throughout. This species seems to be expanding its range in NC within the past 2-3 decades, and can be frequently seen in some southern Coastal Plain counties now. | |
| Habitat | Dry sandy soil of roadsides, lawns, campuses, parking lots, disturbed areas, vacant lots. | |
| Phenology | Flowering and fruiting April-June. | |
| Identification | Lesser Quaking-grass attracts attention due to the dangling spikelets that quiver in a breeze. Each spikelet looks like a miniature tail button of a rattlesnake. The inflorescence can be as large as the rest of the plant, longer than broad or broader than long, and quite open when mature. | |
| Taxonomic Comments | | |
| Other Common Name(s) | | |
| State Rank | SE | |
| Global Rank | GNR | |
| State Status | | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | FAC link |
| USACE-emp | FACW link |
