Muhlenbergia microsperma
Littleseed muhly, Littleseed Muhly
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Muhlenbergia microsperma (Littleseed muhly) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by cleistogamous flowers but perennial habit distinctive.
Littleseed muhly is a California native perennial grass found in coastal, southern coastal ranges, southwestern California, and desert regions in open, disturbed sites at elevations below 1,650 meters. Flowering from March to May, this grass produces small, delicate purple-tinged anthers within its compact inflorescences. Growing with slender stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms loosely clustered and spreading branches. Its thin leaf blades are 2 to 6 centimeters long, typically 1 to 2.5 millimeters wide, and can be flat or slightly rolled. The grass has distinctive cleistogamous spikelets enclosed by tightly rolled sheaths, with soft-hairy lemmas bearing slender awns 1 to 3 centimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; cleistogamous flowers but perennial habit distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, +- disturbed sites
Elevation: < 1650 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Ventura, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, Los Angeles, Orange, Imperial, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Kern, Santa Cruz
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, Arizona, Mexico, also in South America
Bloom period
Muhlenbergia microsperma blooms Mar-May.
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 microsperma native to California?
Yes. Muhlenbergia microsperma is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Muhlenbergia microsperma bloom?
Muhlenbergia microsperma blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Muhlenbergia microsperma grow?
Muhlenbergia microsperma occurs in San Bernardino, Ventura, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, Los Angeles, Orange, Imperial and other counties, at elevations of < 1650 m.
What plant family does Muhlenbergia microsperma belong to?
Muhlenbergia microsperma is in the Poaceae family, genus Muhlenbergia.
What habitat does Muhlenbergia microsperma grow in?
Muhlenbergia microsperma grows in Open, +- disturbed sites.
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.