Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Achnatherum coronatum

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Kingdom
  
Plantae

Family
  
Poaceae

Scientific name
  
Achnatherum coronatum

Rank
  
Species

Order
  
Poales

Genus
  
Stipa

Higher classification
  
Achnatherum

Achnatherum coronatum httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Similar
  
Grasses, Achnatherum parishii, Achnatherum, Achnatherum aridum, Nassella lepida

Stipa coronata, formerly classified as Achnatherum coronatum, is a greenish species of grass known by the common name crested needlegrass, giant ricegrass, and giant stipa.

Contents

Distribution

The grass is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows on the coastal and inland hills, often in chaparral, oak woodland, and yellow pine forest plant communities. It grows from sea level to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in elevation. Stipa coronatum is found in the Peninsular Ranges, Transverse Ranges, southern Outer California Coast Ranges, and the Channel Islands.

Description

Stipa coronatum is a perennial grass forming loose bunches up to about 2 metres (6.6 ft) in maximum height, but usually shorter. The clumps expand by short rhizomes. This species is similar to its inland relative, Stipa parishii, and occasionally the two intergrade in 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.

References

Achnatherum coronatum Wikipedia