Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis
Sonoma alopecurus, Sonoma alopecurus, Sonoma alopecurus
no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · CC0
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis (Sonoma alopecurus) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by geography, wider inflorescence, and longer awns.
Sonoma alopecurus is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in coastal regions of central California, including coastal and northwestern San Francisco Bay areas in freshwater marshes and riparian scrub at elevations of 5 to 365 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pale green to whitish flowers in compact, cylindrical spikes approximately 4 to 9 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems reaching 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms dense tufted clusters in wet habitats. Its leaves are narrow and grass-like, with fine, pointed blades emerging from the base of the plant. The flower's distinctive feature is its delicate awns, which extend 1 to 2.5 millimeters beyond the lemma body, creating a soft, feathery appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by geography, wider inflorescence, and longer awns
Habitat and range
Habitat: Freshwater marshes, riparian scrub
Elevation: 5-365 m
California counties: Marin, Sonoma
Bloom period
Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
How to tell it apart
vs Hordeum: Alopecurus has soft, single bristles; Hordeum has stiff, spreading bristles in groups of three.; vs Phalaris: Alopecurus has bristles from each flower; Phalaris has awnless, egg-shaped spikes.; vs Phleum: Alopecurus has a bristle from each flower; Phleum is awnless with a smoother cylinder.; vs Plantago: Alopecurus is a grass; Plantago has broad, basal leaves and is not a grass.; vs Cenchrus: Alopecurus has a fuzzy cylinder; Cenchrus has spiny burs enclosing seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis native to California?
Yes. Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis bloom?
Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis grow?
Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis occurs in Marin, Sonoma, at elevations of 5-365 m.
What plant family does Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis belong to?
Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis is in the Poaceae family, genus Alopecurus.
Is Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis rare or endangered?
Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.