Dasyochloa pulchella
Low woollygrass
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Dasyochloa pulchella (Low woollygrass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by Southwestern US species reaching its western range limit in California's deserts.
Low woollygrass is a California native perennial found in Desert bioregions on sandy to rocky slopes, desert shrubland, and woodland at elevations of 300 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces light-green or purple-tinged flower panicles 1 to 2.5 centimeters long with dense, spike-like branches. Growing as a stoloniferous or mat-forming grass with stems 4 to 10 centimeters tall that become bent and root at the base of the inflorescence, it spreads across the ground with distinctive white pubescence. Its folded leaf blades are 2 to 6 centimeters long, with leaf sheaths featuring a tuft of hairs at the throat and a delicate ligule of hairs 3 to 5 millimeters long. The plant's spikelets are densely hairy, with lemmas 3 to 5.5 millimeters long that are long-haired below and on the margins, giving the grass a soft, woolly appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Southwestern US species reaching its western range limit in California's deserts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy to rocky slopes, flats, desert shrubland, woodland
Elevation: 300-1700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, Imperial, Mono, Nevada
Outside California: to Colorado, Texas, central Mexico
Bloom period
Dasyochloa pulchella blooms Feb-May.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dasyochloa pulchella native to California?
Yes. Dasyochloa pulchella is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dasyochloa pulchella bloom?
Dasyochloa pulchella blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Dasyochloa pulchella grow?
Dasyochloa pulchella occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, Imperial, Mono, Nevada, at elevations of 300-1700 m.
What plant family does Dasyochloa pulchella belong to?
Dasyochloa pulchella is in the Poaceae family, genus Dasyochloa.
What habitat does Dasyochloa pulchella grow in?
Dasyochloa pulchella grows in Sandy to rocky slopes, flats, desert shrubland, woodland.
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.