Aira praecox
Early hair grass, Early Hair Grass
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Aira praecox (Early hair grass) is a non-native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by . Key diagnostic features: narrow inflorescence 0.3-0.7 cm wide, very low elevation < 100m, North Coast only.
Early hair grass is a naturalized annual found in northern California Coast and southern North Coast Ranges in sandy soils and open sites at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate grass produces pale green to white spikelets approximately 3 to 4 millimeters long with fine, bristle-like awns. Growing with slender stems 5 to 25 centimeters tall, it has a compact, narrow structure typical of small annual grasses. Its leaves are narrow and prow-tipped, with sheaths slightly rough to the touch and ligules measuring 1.4 to 5.3 millimeters long. The plant forms delicate, fine inflorescences 1 to 4 centimeters long that are less than a centimeter wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species. Key diagnostic features: narrow inflorescence 0.3-0.7 cm wide, very low elevation < 100m, North Coast only
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, open sites
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern United States, native to southern Europe
Bloom period
Aira praecox blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Briza: Aira has delicate linear spikelets; Briza has distinctive heart-shaped, dangling spikelets.; vs Eriocoma: Aira is a tiny silvery annual; Eriocoma is a robust perennial bunchgrass with twisted awns.; vs Vahlodea: Aira is annual with no axis extension; Vahlodea is perennial with tiny axis extension.; vs Deschampsia: Aira is annual and delicate; Deschampsia is perennial, often forming dense tufts.; vs Trisetum: Aira has no axis extension beyond flowers; Trisetum has a hairy bristle extending beyond.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aira praecox native to California?
No. Aira praecox is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Aira praecox bloom?
Aira praecox blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Aira praecox belong to?
Aira praecox is in the Poaceae family, genus Aira.
What habitat does Aira praecox grow in?
Aira praecox grows in Sandy soils, open sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.