Hilaria rigida
Big galleta
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Hilaria rigida (Big galleta) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by geographic isolation in PR/DSon regions and larger, branched growth form.
Big galleta is a California native perennial found in the Colorado Desert, eastern Mojave Desert, and Sonoran Desert on dry, open, sandy to rocky slopes, flats, washes, sand dunes, scrub, and woodland at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces small, clustered spikelets in inflorescences 4 to 10 centimeters long. Growing as a bush-like plant 35 to 100 centimeters tall with stems 1.5 to 3.5 millimeters thick, it has distinctive curly node hairs and a branching growth pattern. Its cauline leaves are sparsely to densely tomentose, measuring less than 10 centimeters long and 2 to 4 millimeters wide, with a short ligule less than 1 millimeter long. The plant's spikelets feature complex awns, with central spikelets having up to three awns and lateral spikelets displaying intricate lobed and fringed glume structures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species. Distinguished by geographic isolation in PR/DSon regions and larger, branched growth form.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Dry, open, sandy to rocky slopes, flats, and washes, sand dunes, scrub, woodland
Elevation: < 1600 m
California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles
Outside California: to Utah, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Hilaria rigida blooms All year.
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 rigida native to California?
Yes. Hilaria rigida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hilaria rigida bloom?
Hilaria rigida blooms All year.
Where in California does Hilaria rigida grow?
Hilaria rigida occurs in San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 1600 m.
What plant family does Hilaria rigida belong to?
Hilaria rigida is in the Poaceae family, genus Hilaria.
What habitat does Hilaria rigida grow in?
Hilaria rigida grows in Common. Dry, open, sandy to rocky slopes, flats, and washes, sand dunes, 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.