Kingdom Plantae Family Poaceae Rank Species | Order Poales Genus Nassella | |
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Similar Nassella lepida, Nassella pulchra, Melica californica, Leymus triticoides, Achnatherum coronatum | ||
Nassella cernua (syn. Stipa cernua) is a species of grass known by the common name nodding needlegrass.
Contents
The bunchgrass is native to western California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico.
Distribution
Nassella cernua is a component of California and Baja California in native grasslands, chaparral, and juniper woodlands. This bunchgrass is found in the California Coast Ranges and Transverse Ranges (U.S.), and Peninsular Ranges (U.S. & Mexico).
This and many other native grasses of the California Floristic Province have declined because of the encroachment of introduced species of grasses, making native grasslands a very endangered habitat type, and this plant a listed Vulnerable species.
Description
The perennial Nassella cernua bunchgrass has stems up to 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) tall. The narrow leaves have a waxy texture.
The panicle is open with bending or nodding branches. The awn is up to 4 inches (10 cm) long.
Cultivation
Nassella cernua is cultivated as a drought-tolerant ornamental grass by specialty plant nurseries, for use in native plant and wildlife gardens, drought tolerant landscaping, and for habitat restoration projects.