Purple Needle grass

Scientific Name:

• Nassella pulchra

Variety:

• “Stipa”

Physical Appearance: 

• Resembles a grain producing tufts of branches

• At the base of the bluster is a narrow leaf structure called a glume and taper to a point (resembling a needle… get where the name comes from now)

• Clustering cream colored flowers with no petals stem from branches 

When Does It Grow:

• Flowers in spring

Preferred Environment: 

• Coastal hills and valleys, mountain ranges

Method of Reproduction:

• Self buries

• Side note:

  • The flowers are bisexual meaning that both the male anthers and female pistil are on the same plant unlike an avocado for example

Role in the Ecosystem:

• Before we had domestic animals everywhere, needle grass was a common food source for roaming herds such as elk, mule, deer, and pronghorns

• Rabbits and rodents like the roots

Random:

• Extensive root system up to 20 ft deep to make more drought tolerant

• Helps with erosion control with strong root system

• Tolerant to extreme heat and drought conditions

• Considered a California symbol due to how widespread it is and because it suppresses the invasion of other invasive plants