Scientific Family
Poaceae
Synonyms
Polypogon lutosus
Plant type
Grasses
Riparian
Yes
Grass Description
Origin
Native
Season
Warm
Moist soil along streams and meadows.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
0
High elevation
7500
Similar species
Polypogon monospelensis
General Description
Tufted; stems bent at base.
Perennial with flat blades; 12 to 31 inches tall; seedhead dense, bristly, not spikelike, 2 to 6 inches long; spikelets 1-flowered. Distinguished from P. monospelensis by a seedhead that is more lobed, interrupted and shorter awned.
Grass type
Perennial bunchgrass
Rhizomes
No
Stolons
No
Clump Diameter 2 ft or more
No
Bushy - highly branched
No
Height with Seedheads
24 inches or more
Seedhead Structure
Branched - contracted
Seedhead droops
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower Characteristics
Flowers per Spikelet
One-flowered
Spikelets One-Sided
No
Awns
Less than 1/4 inch
Three Awns
No
Awns bent
No
Flower and Seedhead Notes
Spikelets have 1 fertile flower, wedge-shaped and laterally compressed, 1/8 inch long; smooth, shiny lemma that is minutely toothed; glumes awned.
Vegetative Characteristics
Blade is hairy
No
Blade margins white
No
Blade cross-section
Flat
Blades 2 to 3-1/2 inches long, 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide, broad, flat and scabrous.
Sheath is hairy
No
Tufts of hair top of sheath or collar
No
Ligule
Membranous and hairy
Auricles
No
Unknown