Muhlenbergia emersleyi

Bullgrass, bullgrass

Family: Poaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Bullgrass is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Riverside region on rocky slopes, washes, canyons, and cliffs at elevations of 1,200 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from August to November, this grass produces delicate purplish flowers with flexuous awns that emerge from densely tufted stems. Growing 6.5 to 15 decimeters tall with a dense, clustered growth habit, the plant forms impressive clumps with distinctive grass architecture. Its leaves are long and narrow, measuring 20 to 50 centimeters in length and 2 to 6 millimeters wide, with elongated ligules up to 25 millimeters long. The inflorescence is expansive, reaching 20 to 45 centimeters long and 4 to 15 centimeters wide, with spreading branch clusters that create an open, airy appearance.

Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky slopes, washes, canyons, cliffs

Bloom period: Aug-Nov

Elevation: 1200-2000 m

Bioregions: Riverside

California counties: Riverside

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