Achnatherum coronatum
| Achnatherum coronatum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Stipa |
| Species: | S. coronata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Stipa coronata Thurb.
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Achnatherum coronatum (Thurb.) Barkworth | |
Stipa coronata, formerly classified as Achnatherum coronatum, is a greenish species of grass known by the common name crested needlegrass, giant ricegrass, and giant stipa.[1][2][3]
Distribution[]
The grass is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows on the coastal and inland hills, often in chaparral, oak woodland, and yellow pine forest plant communities.[2] It grows from sea level to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in elevation. Stipa coronatum is found in the Peninsular Ranges, Transverse Ranges, southern Outer California Coast Ranges, and the Channel Islands.[2]
Description[]
Stipa coronatum is a perennial grass forming loose bunches up to about 2 metres (6.6 ft) in maximum height, but usually shorter. The clumps expand by short rhizomes. This species is similar to its inland relative, , and occasionally the two intergrade in characteristics and are easily confused.
The grass bears a generous inflorescence up to 60 centimeters long with large spikelets up to 2 centimeters long each, not including an awn of up to 4.5 centimeters. The awn has two distinct kinks.
See also[]
- California chaparral and woodlands
- California coastal sage and chaparral
- California montane chaparral and woodlands
- California oak woodland
- Native grasses of California
References[]
- ^ Jepson eFlora: "Stipa coronata" . accessed 8.2.2013
- ^ Jump up to: a b c CalFlora database: Stipa coronata . accessed 8.2.2013
- ^ TJM2 accepted name = "Stipa coronata". Achnatherum coronatum is not an active name in the Calflora species table.
External links[]
- Jepson Manual Treatment: Stipa coronata
- USDA Plants Profile: Achnatherum coronatum (Stipa coronata) — (giant ricegrass)
- Grass Manual Treatment
- Stipa coronata (Achnatherum coronatum) — U.C. Photo gallery
- Stipa
- Bunchgrasses of North America
- Native grasses of California
- Grasses of Mexico
- Flora of Baja California
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the California Coast Ranges
- Natural history of the Channel Islands of California
- Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges
- Natural history of the Santa Monica Mountains
- Natural history of the Transverse Ranges
- Pooideae stubs