Muhlenbergia mexicana
Mexican muhly
(c) Sam Turner, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Muhlenbergia mexicana (Mexican muhly) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by rhizomatous with narrow dense inflorescence and tiny anthers.
Mexican muhly is a native perennial grass found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada in riverbanks and canyon habitats at elevations of 60 to 1,530 meters. Flowering from July to August, this grass produces small, delicate inflorescences with narrow, densely packed branches 2 to 15 centimeters long. Growing with creeping rhizomes and erect stems 30 to 70 centimeters tall, it spreads gradually across moist ground. Its flat leaves are 4 to 12 centimeters long and 2 to 5 millimeters wide, with a truncate ligule that has irregular teeth. The grass produces tiny spikelets with short awns, creating a fine, feathery appearance in its native riparian environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; rhizomatous with narrow dense inflorescence and tiny anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Riverbanks, canyons
Elevation: 60-1530 m
California counties: Butte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Plumas, Del Norte, Trinity, Lake
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern United States
Bloom period
Muhlenbergia mexicana blooms Jul-Aug.
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 mexicana native to California?
Yes. Muhlenbergia mexicana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Muhlenbergia mexicana bloom?
Muhlenbergia mexicana blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Muhlenbergia mexicana grow?
Muhlenbergia mexicana occurs in Butte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Plumas, Del Norte, Trinity, Lake, at elevations of 60-1530 m.
What plant family does Muhlenbergia mexicana belong to?
Muhlenbergia mexicana is in the Poaceae family, genus Muhlenbergia.
What habitat does Muhlenbergia mexicana grow in?
Muhlenbergia mexicana grows in Uncommon. Riverbanks, canyons.
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.