Grass Description
Rocky slopes, grasslands, open pine woods and alpine areas in all soil types; semi-arid to moderately moist conditions.
General Description
Bunchgrass with mostly basal blades up to 7 inches long. The seedhead is narrow and spikelike, except during spring flowering, when open.
Loosely tufted perennial bunchgrass; narrow blades; contracted spikelike seedheads; spikelets 2 to 4 flowered, disarticulate above the glumes and between the florets; seedhead stem often extends beyond the fertile florets as a slender bristle.
Flower Characteristics
Numerous slender, dense, somewhat cylindrical seedheads, tapering at both ends and spreading open during active flowering period. Spikelets are 2 to 4 flowered.
Vegetative Characteristics
Blades narrow, 1 to 7 inches long and flat or inrolled when dry. Blade surface smooth or densely hairy with prominent raised veins (ribbing) on the upper surface of the blades.
Excellent for livestock and wildlife; most growth is after summer rains begin.