Calamagrostis stricta
Slipstem reed grass, Slipstem Reed Grass
(c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Calamagrostis stricta (Slipstem reed grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by subspecies also present but this is parent taxon.
Slipstem reed grass is a California native perennial found in moist meadows and wetland habitats. Flowering from May to August, this grass produces pale green to tan flowers in dense, narrow inflorescences 5 to 20 centimeters long. Growing with loosely clustered stems 20 to 120 centimeters tall, it forms delicate tufted clumps with slender, mostly inrolled leaf blades 2 to 5 millimeters wide. Its leaves have smooth sheaths with ligules 1 to 5.5 millimeters long, and each grass blade is characterized by a fine, slightly rough surface. The plant produces spikelets with glumes 2 to 6 millimeters long, featuring a delicate awn that extends near the glume tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; subspecies also present but this is parent taxon
Habitat and range
California counties: Inyo, Lassen, Tuolumne, Tulare, El Dorado, Alpine, Monterey, Mono, Mariposa
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 stricta native to California?
Yes. Calamagrostis stricta is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Calamagrostis stricta grow?
Calamagrostis stricta occurs in Inyo, Lassen, Tuolumne, Tulare, El Dorado, Alpine, Monterey, Mono and other counties.
What plant family does Calamagrostis stricta belong to?
Calamagrostis stricta is in the Poaceae family, genus Calamagrostis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Calamagrostis stricta subsp. inexpansa — Thurber's reed grass
- Calamagrostis stricta subsp. stricta
- Calamagrostis arenaria subsp. arenaria — European beachgrass, maram grass
- Calamagrostis bolanderi — Bolander's reed grass
- Calamagrostis breviligulata
- Calamagrostis breviligulata subsp. breviligulata — American beachgrass
- Catabrosa aquatica subsp. aquatica — water whorlgrass
- Cenchrus echinatus — Southern sandbur
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.