Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis

Sonoma alopecurus, Sonoma alopecurus, Sonoma alopecurus

Family: Poaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered

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.

Habitat: Freshwater marshes, riparian scrub

Bloom period: May-Jul

Elevation: 5-365 m

Bioregions: CCo, nw SnFrB.

California counties: Marin, Sonoma

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.