Muhlenbergia montana
Mountain muhly
(c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Muhlenbergia montana (Mountain muhly) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by high elevation, long ligule and 3-toothed glumes distinctive.
Mountain muhly is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and Sierra Nevada High Country on open slopes, granitic rock outcrops, and dry meadows at elevations of 1,640 to 3,420 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate purple-tinted spikelets in loose, spreading panicles 4 to 15 centimeters long. Growing as a densely tufted grass with stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with slender, graceful growth. Its narrow leaves are flat to slightly rolled, 5 to 12 centimeters long and only 1 to 2.5 millimeters wide, with distinctive ligules 4 to 10 millimeters long. The plant's delicate purple anthers and soft-hairy lemmas add subtle texture to its elegant, airy appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; high elevation, long ligule and 3-toothed glumes distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open slopes, granitic rock outcrops, dry meadows
Elevation: 1640-3420 m
California counties: Mariposa, Tulare, Fresno, Siskiyou, El Dorado, Mono, Trinity, Amador, Inyo, Placer, Tuolumne, Madera, San Bernardino
Outside California: western United States to Central America
Bloom period
Muhlenbergia montana blooms Jun-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 montana native to California?
Yes. Muhlenbergia montana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Muhlenbergia montana bloom?
Muhlenbergia montana blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Muhlenbergia montana grow?
Muhlenbergia montana occurs in Mariposa, Tulare, Fresno, Siskiyou, El Dorado, Mono, Trinity, Amador and other counties, at elevations of 1640-3420 m.
What plant family does Muhlenbergia montana belong to?
Muhlenbergia montana is in the Poaceae family, genus Muhlenbergia.
What habitat does Muhlenbergia montana grow in?
Muhlenbergia montana grows in Open slopes, granitic rock outcrops, dry meadows.
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.