Hilaria jamesii
Galleta
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Hilaria jamesii (Galleta) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by geographic isolation in SNE/DMoj regions and smaller stature.
Galleta is a California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert Mountains on dry, sandy to rocky slopes, scrub, and woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from April to November, this plant produces pale greenish-yellow grass-like flowers in compact clusters 6 to 9 millimeters long. Growing with unbranched stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms dense clumps with stems approximately 1 millimeter in diameter. Its leaves are primarily basal, glabrous or slightly rough, with narrow blades 2 to 3 millimeters wide and up to 13 centimeters long, featuring long cilia near the ligule. The plant's distinctive growth form includes straight node hairs and a compact, tufted appearance characteristic of desert and mountain grassland environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species. Distinguished by geographic isolation in SNE/DMoj regions and smaller stature.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, sandy to rocky slopes, flats, scrub, woodland
Elevation: 1000-2700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono
Outside California: to Wyoming, Texas
Bloom period
Hilaria jamesii blooms Apr-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Pappostipa: Hilaria has three spikelets grouped at nodes; Pappostipa has single spikelets.; vs Aristida: Hilaria has three-spikelet clusters; Aristida has single spikelets with three-part awns.; vs Panicum: Hilaria has solid stems with three-spikelet nodes; Panicum has hollow stems with single spikelets.; vs Schismus: Hilaria has three clustered spikelets per node; Schismus has single spikelets in open panicles.; vs Hordeum: Hilaria has solid stems; Hordeum has hollow stems between nodes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hilaria jamesii native to California?
Yes. Hilaria jamesii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hilaria jamesii bloom?
Hilaria jamesii blooms Apr-Nov.
Where in California does Hilaria jamesii grow?
Hilaria jamesii occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 1000-2700 m.
What plant family does Hilaria jamesii belong to?
Hilaria jamesii is in the Poaceae family, genus Hilaria.
What habitat does Hilaria jamesii grow in?
Hilaria jamesii grows in Dry, sandy to rocky slopes, flats, scrub, 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.