Luzula spicata subsp. spicata

Family: Juncaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Spike woodrush is a native perennial found in alpine and subalpine zones of the Sierra Nevada at elevations of 2,900 to 3,800 meters. Its inflorescence is a dense, dark head-like cluster that becomes nodding at maturity, with dark brown to dark purple perianth parts that often have wide pale margins. Growing in densely tufted clusters 5 to 32 centimeters tall, this plant forms compact bunches with numerous narrow basal leaves. Its leaves are channeled, particularly toward the tip, with acute to acuminate ends measuring 0.5 to 3 millimeters wide. The small flowers produce oblong seeds approximately 1 millimeter long, characteristic of this high-elevation alpine species.

Habitat: Rocky alpine slopes and meadows

Elevation: 2900-3800 m

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.