Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis
Bluejoint reed grass
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis (Bluejoint reed grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family.
Bluejoint reed grass is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range Highlands, and Sierra Nevada Highlands in moist meadows, thickets, peatlands, and open woodlands at elevations of 1,500 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from July to September, this grass produces delicate pale green to silvery-white flower clusters in slender, narrow spikes about 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters long. Growing with robust, upright stems 50 to 150 centimeters tall, it forms dense clumps with slender, arching leaves. Its leaves are flat, narrow, and bright green, typically 10 to 30 centimeters long with smooth margins that create a soft, graceful appearance. The flower clusters have smooth or slightly rough glumes with acute tips, giving the grass a fine, elegant texture in mountain meadow landscapes.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist meadows, thickets, peatland, open woodland
Elevation: 1500-3400 m
Outside California: Widespread in United States
Bloom period
Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis 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 canadensis var. canadensis native to California?
Yes. Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis bloom?
Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis belong to?
Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis is in the Poaceae family, genus Calamagrostis.
What habitat does Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis grow in?
Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis grows in Moist meadows, thickets, peatland, open woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.