Muhlenbergia sp.
Muhly, Muhly
(c) Jo Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jo Roberts · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Muhlenbergia sp. (Muhly) is a non-native California perennial in the Poaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Muhlenbergia sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Muhlenbergia sp. belong to?
Muhlenbergia sp. is in the Poaceae family, genus Muhlenbergia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.