Blepharidachne kingii
King's eyelash grass
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Blepharidachne kingii (King's eyelash grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by Great Basin element reaching its western range limit in California.
King's eyelash grass is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and desert mountains in pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 900 to 2,150 meters. Flowering from May to June, this delicate grass produces straw-colored to purple inflorescences in compact clusters 1 to 2 centimeters long. Growing in tufted clumps with slender stems 3 to 8 centimeters tall, it forms dense, compact bunches with stiff, curved leaves. Its narrow leaf blades are less than 1 millimeter wide, sharp-pointed, and often deciduous, with distinctive tufts of hair at the leaf sheath throat. The grass features delicate spikelets 6 to 9 millimeters long with papery, translucent glumes that are soft-hairy at the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Great Basin element reaching its western range limit in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 900-2150 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Santa Cruz, San Bernardino
Outside California: Idaho, Nevada, Utah
Bloom period
Blepharidachne kingii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
Frequently asked questions
Is Blepharidachne kingii native to California?
Yes. Blepharidachne kingii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Blepharidachne kingii bloom?
Blepharidachne kingii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Blepharidachne kingii grow?
Blepharidachne kingii occurs in Inyo, Mono, Santa Cruz, San Bernardino, at elevations of 900-2150 m.
What plant family does Blepharidachne kingii belong to?
Blepharidachne kingii is in the Poaceae family, genus Blepharidachne.
Is Blepharidachne kingii rare or endangered?
Blepharidachne kingii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
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.