Leptochloa fusca
Sprangletop
(c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Leptochloa fusca (Sprangletop) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by limited distribution data available.
Sprangletop is a California native annual grass found in low-elevation wetland and grassland habitats. Flowering from June to September, this grass produces small spikelets with delicate branching panicles up to 70 centimeters long. Growing with decumbent to erect stems that have hollow internodes, it can reach heights of 10 to 55 centimeters. Its leaf blades are narrow, 1 to 7 millimeters wide, tapering to a fine point and often extending beyond the panicle. The spikelets feature lemmas with soft-hairy margins and acute tips, with some potentially displaying a small mucro or awn.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; limited distribution data available
Habitat and range
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Shasta
How to tell it apart
vs Diplachne: Leptochloa lemmas have three veins; Diplachne lemmas are prominently nerved with hairy margins.; vs Spartina: Sprangletop has multiple radiating branches; cordgrass has unbranched spike-like panicles.; vs Festuca: Sprangletop lemmas have three veins; fescue lemmas have five or more veins.; vs Sclerochloa: Sprangletop has loose, feathery branching spikes; hardgrass has dense, rigid tufted habit.; vs Echinochloa: Sprangletop has delicate three-veined lemmas; barnyard grass has coarse awned lemmas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leptochloa fusca native to California?
Yes. Leptochloa fusca is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Leptochloa fusca grow?
Leptochloa fusca occurs in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Shasta.
What plant family does Leptochloa fusca belong to?
Leptochloa fusca is in the Poaceae family, genus Leptochloa.
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.