Danthonia californica

Danthonia californica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Danthonia
Species:	D. californica
Binomial name
Danthonia californica Bolander
Synonyms
Danthonia americana

Danthonia californica is a species of grass known by the common name California oatgrass. This plant is native to two separate regions of the Americas, western North America from California to Saskatchewan, and Chile.

Description

Danthonia californica is a clumping erect perennial bunch grass with stems approaching a meter (3 feet) in height at maximum. The leaves are flat and short and may be hairy or hairless. The inflorescence holds one or more spikelets, each spikelet holding up to eight florets. This grass grows best in moist areas, generally in thin forests and meadows. Typical native grass associates in the far western North American coastal prairies are Festuca idahoensis, Deschampsia caespitosa, and Nassella pulchra.

Notes

• C. Michael Hogan. 2009. "Purple Needlegrass (Nassella pulchra)" Globaltwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg
• Jepson Manual. 1993. Jepson Manual Treatment: Danthonia californica

See also

• California coastal prairie
• Native grasses of California

External links

• USDA Plants Profile for Danthonia californica (California oatgrass)
• Calflora Database: Danthonia californica (California oatgrass)
• Jepson Manual treatment of Danthonia californica
• Grass Manual Treatment
• Danthonia californica — UC Photos gallery