Leptochloa sp.
Family: Poaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Leptochloa sp. is a native California perennial in the Poaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Leptochloa sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Leptochloa sp. belong to?
Leptochloa sp. is in the Poaceae family, genus Leptochloa.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Leptochloa viscida — Sticky sprangletop
- Leptochloa dubia — Green sprangletop
- Leptochloa fusca — Sprangletop
- Leptochloa fusca subsp. fascicularis — Bearded sprangletop
- Leptochloa fusca subsp. uninervia — Mexican sprangletop
- Leptochloa panicea subsp. brachiata — Red sprangletop
- Melica aristata — Awned melic
- Melica bulbosa — Oniongrass
- Melica californica — California melic
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.