Tall Manna Grass vs Marsh Cinquefoil - TreeTime.ca

Tall Manna Grass vs Marsh Cinquefoil

Comarum palustre

Glyceria grandis

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Marsh Cinquefoil
Tall Manna Grass

Marsh Cinquefoil is a native perennial wetland plant with striking reddish-purple, star-shaped flowers. They bloom in early to mid-summer, providing nectar for bees, flies, and other pollinators. Beyond its summer blooms, the foliage turns red in autumn, adding seasonal interest to wetland landscapes.

Common in wetlands, pond margins, and wet meadows, Marsh Cinquefoil spreads by rhizomes to form colonies or patches that contribute to shoreline stabilization. It thrives in nutrient-poor, saturated soils where many other plants struggle, making it valuable in challenging wetland conditions. With its ecological function and ornamental appeal, it is well-suited for wetland plantings, ecological restoration, and naturalized projects.

Manna Grass and other waterside plants are an excellent way to prevent erosion and provide habitat and forage for animals. The difference is that Manna Grass looks better doing it! With distinctive purple grains at the top of its stalks, Manna Grass adds a splash of color to the waterside that most other aquatics can't offer.

Manna Grass is good for returning disturbed sites to nature and provides nourishment to many animals, except for cattle who find it toxic.

Marsh Cinquefoil Quick Facts

Tall Manna Grass Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: ascending to upright
Spreading: seeds - medium, rhizomes - medium
Suckering: medium


Toxicity: toxic to cattle
Foliage: long thin leaves
Flowers: dark red/maroon, star-shaped
Flowers: purple
Bloom time: summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Other Names: marsh five fingers, purple cinquefoil, purple marshlocks
Other Names: american manna grass, reed manna grass