Calamagrostis bolanderi
Bolander's reed grass
(c) Karen and Mike, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Calamagrostis bolanderi (Bolander's reed grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by strongly exserted twisted awn and coastal wetland habitat.
Bolander's reed grass is a California native perennial found in the northern California coastal bioregion in peatlands, marshes, wet meadows, coastal scrub, and forest at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate, pale green to tan flowers in open inflorescences 10 to 25 centimeters long. Growing with rhizomatous stems 50 to 150 centimeters tall and typically four nodes, it forms dense grass clusters in moist habitats. Its grass blades are flat, 3 to 10 millimeters wide, with distinctive ligules 3 to 5 millimeters long. The plant's flower spikelets have uniquely twisted awns 5 to 6 millimeters long that extend slightly beyond the glume tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key feature is strongly exserted twisted awn and coastal wetland habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Peatland, marshes, wet meadows in forest, coastal scrub and prairie
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Yolo, Madera, Tulare, Placer, Tuolumne
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Calamagrostis bolanderi blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Leymus: Leymus has spike-like inflorescences; Calamagrostis has open, branching panicles.; vs Koeleria: Koeleria has dense spike-like panicles; Calamagrostis panicles are loose and open.; vs Holcus: Holcus has velvety-hairy spikelets; Calamagrostis has silky basal hairs only.; vs Muhlenbergia: Calamagrostis spikelets are 2-4mm with awns; Muhlenbergia often larger without prominent awns.; vs Spinifex: Spinifex forms spiny seed heads on beaches; Calamagrostis has soft panicles in mountains.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calamagrostis bolanderi native to California?
Yes. Calamagrostis bolanderi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calamagrostis bolanderi bloom?
Calamagrostis bolanderi blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Calamagrostis bolanderi grow?
Calamagrostis bolanderi occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Yolo, Madera, Tulare, Placer, Tuolumne, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Calamagrostis bolanderi belong to?
Calamagrostis bolanderi is in the Poaceae family, genus Calamagrostis.
Is Calamagrostis bolanderi rare or endangered?
Calamagrostis bolanderi carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
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.