Munroa squarrosa
False buffalograss
(c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Munroa squarrosa (False buffalograss) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by Great Plains species with very limited California distribution, distinctive mat-forming growth habit.
False buffalograss is a native annual grass found in the Clark Mountain Range in open, sandy, gravelly or rocky places at elevations of 1,500 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces small grass flowers in delicate, slender spikelets. Growing as a compact mat-like plant less than 20 centimeters wide, it forms thin, branching stems 3 to 15 centimeters tall with a scabrous and often minutely puberulent texture. Its narrow leaves are typically 1 to 5 centimeters long and 1 to 2.5 millimeters wide, with distinctive lemmas featuring lateral veins that have hairy tufts near the middle. The plant's terminal spikelets have delicate awns 0.5 to 2 millimeters long, adding a subtle texture to its overall appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Great Plains species with very limited California distribution, distinctive mat-forming growth habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy, gravelly or rocky places
Elevation: 1500-1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Modoc, Imperial
Outside California: to Great Plains, Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Munroa squarrosa blooms Aug-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Munroa squarrosa native to California?
Yes. Munroa squarrosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Munroa squarrosa bloom?
Munroa squarrosa blooms Aug-Oct.
Where in California does Munroa squarrosa grow?
Munroa squarrosa occurs in San Bernardino, Modoc, Imperial, at elevations of 1500-1800 m.
What plant family does Munroa squarrosa belong to?
Munroa squarrosa is in the Poaceae family, genus Munroa.
Is Munroa squarrosa rare or endangered?
Munroa squarrosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, 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.