Stipa spartea

A clump forming, cool-season grass. Seeds are quite large (4" to 5"), and indeed are sharp like needles. The awns of the seed twist and un-twist based on temperature and humidity, which helps drive them into the soil. This species primarily grows in dry prairies and savannas. According to Hanes, this species was frequent along the western side of Kalamazoo county during the writing of their Flora of Kalamazoo county in the 1940s. I have only been able to find two populations; one along a railroad and another in Texas Township that was eventually destroyed by development (except for the individuals I rescued).