Achnatherum coronatum
Encyclopedia
Achnatherum coronatum is a greenish species of grass
known by the common name crested needlegrass. It is native to southern California
and Baja California
, where it grows on the coastal and inland hills, often in chaparral
plant communities. This is a perennial grass forming loose bunches up to about two meters in maximum height, but usually shorter. It is similar to its relative, Achnatherum parishii
, and the two intergrade in many characteristics and are easily confused. The grass bears a generous inflorescence
up to 60 centimeters long with large spikelets up to 2 centimeters long each, not including an awn of up to 4.5 centimeters. The awn has two distinct kinks.
Poaceae
The Poaceae is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of flowering plants. Members of this family are commonly called grasses, although the term "grass" is also applied to plants that are not in the Poaceae lineage, including the rushes and sedges...
known by the common name crested needlegrass. It is native to southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, where it grows on the coastal and inland hills, often in chaparral
Chaparral
Chaparral is a shrubland or heathland plant community found primarily in the U.S. state of California and in the northern portion of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico...
plant communities. This is a perennial grass forming loose bunches up to about two meters in maximum height, but usually shorter. It is similar to its relative, Achnatherum parishii
Achnatherum parishii
Achnatherum parishii is a species of grass known by the common name Parish's needlegrass. It is native to western North America from California and Baja California to Utah, where it grows in many types of habitat, especially dry areas. This is a perennial bunch grass which forms tight tufts of...
, and the two intergrade in many characteristics and are easily confused. The grass bears a generous inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
up to 60 centimeters long with large spikelets up to 2 centimeters long each, not including an awn of up to 4.5 centimeters. The awn has two distinct kinks.