Koeleria gerardi
Annual june grass, bristly koeleria, Bristly Koeleria
(c) Eric Lamb, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eric Lamb · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Koeleria gerardi (Annual june grass) is a non-native California perennial in the Poaceae family, recognized by key differences are size, spikelet length, and native status.
Annual june grass is a naturalized perennial found in northern California Interior, California Roasted Fir, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehama, Central Valley, southern coastal ranges, coastal Southern California, Channel Islands, and western Transverse Ranges in open, disturbed sites at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from April to July, this grass produces green to tan spikelets 3 to 4 millimeters long with delicate awns. Growing with loosely tufted stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms slender clumps in disturbed landscapes. Its leaves are basal and stem-based, with soft to coarse-hairy margins and narrow blades 1 to 5 centimeters long and 1 to 2 millimeters wide. The narrow, cylindrical inflorescence extends 8 to 30 centimeters, creating a distinctive delicate grass profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences are size, spikelet length, and native status
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 600 m
Outside California: to Washington, southern United States, native to Mediterranean
Bloom period
Koeleria gerardi blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Calamagrostis: Koeleria has a shiny, dense cylinder; Calamagrostis has looser, more open flower clusters.; vs Poa: Koeleria's spike is shiny and cylindrical; Poa has a branched, pyramidal flower cluster.; vs Holcus: Koeleria has silvery shine and dry habitats; Holcus is dull and prefers moist sites.; vs Melica: Koeleria has a tight, shiny cylinder; Melica has a loose, one-sided arrangement.; vs Dactylis: Koeleria has a cylindrical spike; Dactylis has flowers clustered in distinct one-sided lumps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Koeleria gerardi native to California?
No. Koeleria gerardi is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Koeleria gerardi bloom?
Koeleria gerardi blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Koeleria gerardi belong to?
Koeleria gerardi is in the Poaceae family, genus Koeleria.
What habitat does Koeleria gerardi grow in?
Koeleria gerardi grows in Open, disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.