Nassella cernua

Nassella cernua (syn. Stipa cernua) is a species of grass known by the common name nodding needlegrass.

Nassella cernua

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Pooideae
Genus: Nassella
Species:
N. cernua
Binomial name
Nassella cernua
(Stebbins & R.M. Love) Barkworth
Synonyms

Stipa cernua (former)

The bunchgrass is native to western California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico.[2][3][1]

Distribution

Nassella cernua is a component of California and Baja California in native grasslands, chaparral, and juniper woodlands.[2][3] This bunchgrass is found in the California Coast Ranges and Transverse Ranges (U.S.), and Peninsular Ranges (U.S. & Mexico).[2]

This and many other native grasses of the California Floristic Province have declined because of the encroachment of introduced species of grasses, making native grasslands a very endangered habitat type, and this plant a listed Vulnerable species.[1]

Description

The perennial Nassella cernua bunchgrass has stems up to 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) tall.[4] The narrow leaves have a waxy texture.

The panicle is open with bending or nodding branches.[3] The awn is up to 4 inches (10 cm) long.[5]

Cultivation

Nassella cernua is cultivated as a drought-tolerant ornamental grass by specialty plant nurseries, for use in native plant and wildlife gardens, drought tolerant landscaping, and for habitat restoration projects.[4][6]

See also

  • Native grasses of California

References

  1. Nassella cernua. NatureServe.
  2. N. cernua.; Jepson.
  3. Nassella cernua. Grass Manual Treatment.
  4. Las Pilitas plant database — Stipa cernua Nodding needlegrass . accessed 7.7.2012
  5. NPIN: N. cernua . accessed 7.7.2012.
  6. Jepson Horticultural Database . accessed 7.7.2012.
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