Scientific Family
Poaceae
Synonyms
Stipa lettermanii
Plant type
Grasses
Riparian
No
Grass Description
Origin
Native
Season
Warm
Meadows and on dry slopes, from chaparral to subalpine habitats.
Plant Community
Grasslands
Interior Chaparral
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
5200
High elevation
8500
Similar species
Hesperostipa comata
General Description
Densely tufted, slender, bunchgrass which often forms large clumps. It begins growth early and remains green throughout a relatively long season.
Awns less than 1 inch; blades involute (rolled); plants tufted.
Grass type
Perennial bunchgrass
Rhizomes
No
Stolons
No
Clump Diameter 2 ft or more
No
Bushy - highly branched
No
Height with Seedheads
12 inches or more
Seedhead Structure
Branched - contracted
Seedhead droops
No
First bloom month
August
Last bloom month
October
Flower Characteristics
Flowers per Spikelet
One-flowered
Spikelets One-Sided
No
Awns
1/4 inch to 1 inch
Three Awns
No
Awns bent
Yes
Flower and Seedhead Notes
Seedheads are 4 to 7 inches long, pale green and loosely flowered. Awns are twice-bent and rough to the touch.
Vegetative Characteristics
Blade is hairy
Yes
Blade margins white
No
Blade cross-section
Involute – rolled inward on upper surface
Blades are 2 to 8 inches long with some short, fine straight erect hairs.
Sheath is hairy
No
Tufts of hair top of sheath or collar
Yes
Ligule
Membranous and hairy
Auricles
No
Generally most palatable early in the season before the foliage becomes coarse and wiry. It is rated fair in energy value and poor in protein content.