Calamagrostis breweri
Short hair reed grass
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Calamagrostis breweri (Short hair reed grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by narrow leaves with prow tips and lack of rhizomes at high elevation.
Short hair reed grass is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Sierra Nevada at elevations of 1,700 to 2,600 meters in moist woodlands, meadows, lake margins, and streambanks. Flowering from July to September, this grass produces delicate inflorescences 5 to 8 centimeters long with open, spreading branches. Growing in dense tufts with stems 20 to 54 centimeters tall, it forms distinctive clumps without underground rhizomes. Its predominantly basal leaves are narrow, flat or slightly rolled, with a prow-shaped tip and measuring less than 2 millimeters wide. The grass produces distinctive spikelets with awns 3.5 to 5.5 millimeters long that extend slightly beyond the glume tips, giving the plant a delicate, feathery appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are narrow leaves with prow tips and lack of rhizomes at high elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist woodland, meadows, lake margins, streambanks
Elevation: 1700-2600 m
California counties: El Dorado, Siskiyou, Nevada, Placer, Mono, Fresno, Trinity, Amador, Alpine, Madera, Humboldt, Mariposa, Tulare, Kern, Tuolumne
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Calamagrostis breweri blooms Jul-Sep.
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 breweri native to California?
Yes. Calamagrostis breweri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calamagrostis breweri bloom?
Calamagrostis breweri blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Calamagrostis breweri grow?
Calamagrostis breweri occurs in El Dorado, Siskiyou, Nevada, Placer, Mono, Fresno, Trinity, Amador and other counties, at elevations of 1700-2600 m.
What plant family does Calamagrostis breweri belong to?
Calamagrostis breweri is in the Poaceae family, genus Calamagrostis.
What habitat does Calamagrostis breweri grow in?
Calamagrostis breweri grows in Moist woodland, meadows, lake margins, streambanks.
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.