Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii is a native California grass in the Poaceae family.
Langsdorff's blue-joint grass is a native perennial grass found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada Mountains in moist meadows, thickets, peatland, and open woodland at elevations of 1,500 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from July to September, this grass produces delicate pale green to silvery-white flowering spikes with spikelets 4 to 4.5 millimeters long. Growing with slender, clustered stems that can reach up to one meter tall, it forms dense tufted clumps in moisture-rich mountain environments. Its narrow leaves are typically flat, light green, and grow in dense clusters along the stem, creating a soft, feathery appearance. The grass produces distinctive spikelets with scabrous glumes that have acuminate tips and projections along the keel, giving it a textured, intricate appearance.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist meadows, thickets, peatland, open woodland
Elevation: 1500-3400 m
Outside California: Mostly western United States, Canada, Greenland
Bloom period
Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii 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. langsdorffii native to California?
Yes. Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii bloom?
Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii belong to?
Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii is in the Poaceae family, genus Calamagrostis.
What habitat does Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii grow in?
Calamagrostis canadensis var. langsdorffii 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.