Muhlenbergia schreberi
Nimblewell
(c) Dan Vickers, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Muhlenbergia schreberi (Nimblewell) is a non-native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by non-native with vestigial glumes distinctive.
Nimblewell is a naturalized perennial grass found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills and Sacramento Valley in disturbed areas at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from August to October, this grass produces small purple-tinged spikelets with delicate awns. Growing with decumbent stems 10 to 40 centimeters long that root at lower nodes, it spreads across the ground in loose clusters. Its narrow leaves are 3 to 9 millimeters long, flat, and sparsely long-hairy near the leaf sheath. The plant's distinctive purple anthers and fine, ascending grass branches make it recognizable in disturbed habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; non-native with vestigial glumes distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: Sacramento, Nevada, Mariposa
Outside California: native to eastern United States, Texas, eastern Mexico, South America
Bloom period
Muhlenbergia schreberi blooms Aug-Oct.
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 schreberi native to California?
No. Muhlenbergia schreberi is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Muhlenbergia schreberi bloom?
Muhlenbergia schreberi blooms Aug-Oct.
Where in California does Muhlenbergia schreberi grow?
Muhlenbergia schreberi occurs in Sacramento, Nevada, Mariposa, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Muhlenbergia schreberi belong to?
Muhlenbergia schreberi is in the Poaceae family, genus Muhlenbergia.
What habitat does Muhlenbergia schreberi grow in?
Muhlenbergia schreberi grows in Disturbed areas.
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.