Heteropogon contortus
Tanglehead
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Heteropogon contortus (Tanglehead) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by Range edge species of a primarily tropical genus, reaching its northern limit in southern California's desert regions.
Tanglehead is a naturalized perennial grass found in San Diego County and the Desert-Sonoran regions on rocky slopes and open areas at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from March to November, this grass produces distinctive dark brown spikelets with red-brown callus hairs and dramatic twisted awns 6 to 10 centimeters long. Growing with robust stems 20 to 100 centimeters tall, it spreads across open landscapes with characteristic flexibility. Its leaf blades are relatively narrow, measuring 6 to 20 centimeters long and 4 to 8 millimeters wide, creating dense clumps in its native habitat. The plant's unique spikelet structure, featuring sharp-pointed glumes and puberulent awns, makes it easily distinguishable from other grasses in its range.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Range edge species of a primarily tropical genus, reaching its northern limit in southern California's desert regions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky slopes, washes, open areas
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: San Diego, Imperial
Outside California: southern United States, Mexico
Bloom period
Heteropogon contortus blooms Mar-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Sorghum: Heteropogon has a simple unbranched spike; Sorghum has a dense, branched seed head.; vs Hyparrhenia: Heteropogon has one simple spike; Hyparrhenia has multiple branching flower clusters.; vs Bothriochloa: Heteropogon has one unbranched spike; Bothriochloa has finger-like branches along the stem.; vs Andropogon: Heteropogon has multiple spikelets per node; Andropogon has single spikelets at each node.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heteropogon contortus native to California?
Yes. Heteropogon contortus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heteropogon contortus bloom?
Heteropogon contortus blooms Mar-Nov.
Where in California does Heteropogon contortus grow?
Heteropogon contortus occurs in San Diego, Imperial, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Heteropogon contortus belong to?
Heteropogon contortus is in the Poaceae family, genus Heteropogon.
What habitat does Heteropogon contortus grow in?
Heteropogon contortus grows in Uncommon. Rocky slopes, washes, open 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.