Chloris virgata
Feather finger grass
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Chloris virgata (Feather finger grass) is a non-native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by Sympatric with 2 species; annual habit is diagnostic among sympatric congeners.
Feather finger grass is a naturalized annual grass found in the Great Valley, southern Coast Ranges, southern California, Peninsular Ranges, and desert regions in disturbed areas at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from April to September, this grass produces pale green to tan finger-like flower clusters with slender, delicate branches 5 to 10 centimeters long. Growing with upright stems 10 to 70 centimeters tall, it forms distinctive digitate (finger-like) inflorescences with 4 to 20 branches. Its narrow leaf blades are less than 30 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters wide, with leaf sheaths that may be smooth or slightly hairy near the collar. The small spikelets have delicate awns 2.5 to 15 millimeters long, giving the grass a feathery, wispy appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Sympatric with 2 species; annual habit is diagnostic among sympatric congeners
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Butte, Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Inyo, Los Angeles, Siskiyou, Ventura, Stanislaus, Alpine, Yolo, Tuolumne, Tehama, San Joaquin, Merced, Colusa, San Luis Obispo, Madera, Shasta, Glenn, Kings, Sacramento
Outside California: to southern Great Plains, southeastern United States, northern Mexico, native to warm temperate regions worldwide
Bloom period
Chloris virgata blooms Apr-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Spinus: Unable to generate comparison - Spinus is not a grass genus.; vs Spartina: Windmill grass has multiple branches per node; cordgrass has single unbranched spikes.; vs Festuca: Windmill grass has radiating finger spikes; fescue has single elongated panicles.; vs Sclerochloa: Windmill grass has long radiating spikes; hardgrass is a tiny rigid tuft.; vs Leptochloa: Windmill grass has multiple branches per node; sprangletop has single branches per node.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chloris virgata native to California?
No. Chloris virgata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Chloris virgata bloom?
Chloris virgata blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Chloris virgata grow?
Chloris virgata occurs in Butte, Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Chloris virgata belong to?
Chloris virgata is in the Poaceae family, genus Chloris.
What habitat does Chloris virgata grow in?
Chloris virgata grows in Disturbed areas.
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.