Muhlenbergia pauciflora
Few-flowered muhly
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Muhlenbergia pauciflora (Few-flowered muhly) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by knot-like nodes and long awns distinctive.
Few-flowered muhly is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in eastern Mojave Desert Mountains, specifically the New York Mountains, on rocky slopes and ledges at an elevation of 1,755 meters. Flowering from September to October, this plant produces small, delicate purple-tinted flower clusters in narrow, loose inflorescences up to 12 centimeters long. Growing with wiry, erect stems 30 to 50 centimeters tall that can root at lower nodes, it forms compact clumps with distinctive knot-like lower nodes. Its leaves are narrow and fine, measuring 5 to 8 centimeters long and only 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters wide, typically flat or slightly folded with a small tooth-like ligule. The plant's distinctive awns on its lemmas can extend 5 to 20 millimeters, adding an elegant, wispy texture to its overall appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; knot-like nodes and long awns distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, ledges, canyons
Elevation: 1755 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to southern Colorado, western Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Muhlenbergia pauciflora blooms Sep-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 pauciflora native to California?
Yes. Muhlenbergia pauciflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Muhlenbergia pauciflora bloom?
Muhlenbergia pauciflora blooms Sep-Oct.
Where in California does Muhlenbergia pauciflora grow?
Muhlenbergia pauciflora occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1755 m.
What plant family does Muhlenbergia pauciflora belong to?
Muhlenbergia pauciflora is in the Poaceae family, genus Muhlenbergia.
Is Muhlenbergia pauciflora rare or endangered?
Muhlenbergia pauciflora carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
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.