Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) is a clump-forming, perennial ornamental grass native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Also known simply as Muhly Grass, it belongs to the Poaceae family and is valued for its upright, fountain-like form and fine-textured, arching leaves that create a soft, sculptural presence in the landscape.

It typically grows in dry, open habitats such as chaparral, coastal sage scrub, grasslands, and desert margins, where it plays an important ecological role in erosion control and habitat support. In late summer to fall, Deer Grass produces tall, narrow flowering stalks with delicate, purplish-tan seed heads that rise above the foliage and catch light and movement.

Highly drought-tolerant and long-lived, Muhlenbergia rigens is a favorite in native and low-water landscapes, especially in the American West. Its combination of structural elegance, resilience, and habitat value makes it a popular choice for both ornamental and ecological garden design.