Muhlenbergia appressa
Appressed muhly
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Muhlenbergia appressa (Appressed muhly) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by annual habit and cleistogamous flowers distinctive.
Appressed muhly is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native annual grass found on San Clemente Island and in the Providence Mountains in open canyon bottoms and rocky slopes at elevations of 20 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate grass produces small, tightly clustered purple-tinged spikelets in narrow inflorescences 4 to 14 centimeters long. Growing with slender stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops thin, flat or folded leaf blades 1 to 5 millimeters long. Its distinctive leaves have truncate to obtuse ligules 1.5 to 3 millimeters long, which are toothed and decurrent to the sheath. The plant's lemmas feature short-appressed hairs between veins, with slender awns 1 to 3 centimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; annual habit and cleistogamous flowers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open canyon bottoms, rocky slopes
Elevation: 20-1600 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside
Outside California: southern Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Muhlenbergia appressa blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Cenchrus: Cenchrus has spiny burs enclosing seed clusters; Muhlenbergia has open panicles without spines.; vs Nassella: Nassella has prominent bent awns; Muhlenbergia awns are straight or absent.; vs Festuca: Festuca has multiple-flowered spikelets; Muhlenbergia typically has single-flowered spikelets in open panicles.; vs Carex: Carex (sedges) has triangular stems and separate male/female flowers; Muhlenbergia has round stems.; vs Juncus: Juncus (rushes) has tiny brown chaffy flowers in clusters; Muhlenbergia has typical grass spikelets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Muhlenbergia appressa native to California?
Yes. Muhlenbergia appressa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Muhlenbergia appressa bloom?
Muhlenbergia appressa blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Muhlenbergia appressa grow?
Muhlenbergia appressa occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, at elevations of 20-1600 m.
What plant family does Muhlenbergia appressa belong to?
Muhlenbergia appressa is in the Poaceae family, genus Muhlenbergia.
Is Muhlenbergia appressa rare or endangered?
Muhlenbergia appressa carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.