American beakgrain is a slow, colonizing grass of moist upland woods, floodplain forests, and shady clearings. The plant grows 3-4 feet tall and has broad light-green leaves that emerge in early spring. Flower and seed stalks appear midsummer. The seeds provide good food for winter foraging birds like grouse and turkeys. This is a nice less aggressive alternative to river oats for shady soils where groundcover and stabilization is needed. Zone 4-8. WV ecotype.