Aristida californica
California three-awn, mojave three-awn, Mojave Three-Awn
(c) Mike Ostrowski, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Aristida californica (California three-awn) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by bushy habit, hairy stems, and breaking awns.
California three-awn is a native perennial grass found in southern California's dry sandy sites, dunes, and shrubland at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from February to November, this plant produces delicate, pale grass-like flowers in loose clusters 5 to 10 centimeters long. Growing with much-branched stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall that are densely hairy, it forms a bushy, spreading clump. Its narrow leaf blades are typically less than 6 centimeters long and generally inrolled, creating a compact, wiry appearance. The distinctive seed heads feature long, narrow awns 20 to 50 millimeters in length that break away from the seed, giving the plant a feathery, delicate texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinguished by bushy habit, hairy stems, and breaking awns
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry sandy sites, dunes, shrubland
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: Riverside, Imperial, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego
Outside California: Arizona, Texas, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Aristida californica blooms Feb-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Muhlenbergia: Aristida always has three awns per seed; Muhlenbergia has one awn or none.; vs Hilaria: Aristida has three awns on each spikelet; Hilaria has spikelets grouped in threes with single awns.; vs Bromus: Aristida's three thin straight awns are unmistakable; Bromus has single awns and papery seed coverings.; vs Schismus: Aristida has three long awns per seed; Schismus is a tiny annual with no awns at all.; vs Stipa: Aristida has three straight awns; Stipa has one twisted, bent awn.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aristida californica native to California?
Yes. Aristida californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aristida californica bloom?
Aristida californica blooms Feb-Nov.
Where in California does Aristida californica grow?
Aristida californica occurs in Riverside, Imperial, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Aristida californica belong to?
Aristida californica is in the Poaceae family, genus Aristida.
What habitat does Aristida californica grow in?
Aristida californica grows in dry sandy sites, dunes, shrubland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.