Aristida dichotoma
Churchmouse three-awn
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Aristida dichotoma (Churchmouse three-awn) is a non-native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by geographically restricted with distinctive awn pattern.
Churchmouse three-awn is a naturalized annual grass found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills on granitic outcrops and sandy fields. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate spikelets with distinctive awned seed heads. Growing with generally erect stems 15 to 60 centimeters tall, it has thin, flat leaf blades 3 to 10 centimeters long. Its lemmas feature a central awn 3 to 8 millimeters long that is characteristically coiled at the base, accompanied by shorter straight lateral awns. The plant's small anthers measure 2 to 3 millimeters in length, contributing to its fine, intricate structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; geographically restricted with distinctive awn pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Granitic outcrops, sandy fields
California counties: Butte
Outside California: east-central, southern United States
Bloom period
Aristida dichotoma blooms Jun-Aug.
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 dichotoma native to California?
No. Aristida dichotoma is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Aristida dichotoma bloom?
Aristida dichotoma blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Aristida dichotoma grow?
Aristida dichotoma occurs in Butte.
What plant family does Aristida dichotoma belong to?
Aristida dichotoma is in the Poaceae family, genus Aristida.
What habitat does Aristida dichotoma grow in?
Aristida dichotoma grows in Uncommon. Granitic outcrops, sandy fields.
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.