Paspalum dilatatum
Dallis grass
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Paspalum dilatatum (Dallis grass) is a non-native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by raceme number (2-7), silky-hairy spikelet margins, and larger stature.
Dallis grass is a naturalized perennial found in the California Floristic Province and Mojave Desert in disturbed areas at elevations below 1,160 meters. Flowering from May to November, this grass produces straw-yellow to purple spikelets in paired racemes with silky-hairy margins. Growing with robust erect stems 50 to 175 centimeters tall, it forms dense tufted clumps with a knotty base and short rhizomes. Its flat leaf blades reach up to 35 centimeters long and 2 to 16.5 millimeters wide, with slightly long hairs near the base of the upper leaf surface. The fruit develops as small white to brown structures 2 to 2.3 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are raceme number (2-7), silky-hairy spikelet margins, and larger stature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1160 m
California counties: El Dorado, Stanislaus, Los Angeles, Imperial, Butte, Riverside, Glenn, Fresno, Tulare, Orange, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Yuba, Marin, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Alameda, Ventura, Mariposa, Shasta, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Sacramento, Amador, San Joaquin, Placer, Calaveras, Sutter, Plumas, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Tuolumne, Yolo, Kern, Mendocino, Merced, San Francisco, Tehama, Napa, Humboldt, Solano, Madera, Inyo, San Benito
Outside California: southern United States, native to South America
Bloom period
Paspalum dilatatum blooms May-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Setaria: Paspalum has hardened leathery spikelets in rows; foxtail has soft spikelets with bristles beneath each one.; vs Eleusine: Paspalum has spikelets in two rows per branch; goosegrass has spikelets in a single row on each branch.; vs Cynodon: Paspalum has thick leathery spikelets in neat rows; bermudagrass has tiny spikelets in a single row.; vs Bromus: Paspalum has single-flowered leathery spikelets; brome has multi-flowered membranous spikelets with awns.; vs Plantago: Paspalum is a grass with leathery spikelets; plantain has broad ribbed leaves and spike-like seed heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paspalum dilatatum native to California?
No. Paspalum dilatatum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Paspalum dilatatum bloom?
Paspalum dilatatum blooms May-Nov.
Where in California does Paspalum dilatatum grow?
Paspalum dilatatum occurs in El Dorado, Stanislaus, Los Angeles, Imperial, Butte, Riverside, Glenn, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of < 1160 m.
What plant family does Paspalum dilatatum belong to?
Paspalum dilatatum is in the Poaceae family, genus Paspalum.
What habitat does Paspalum dilatatum grow in?
Paspalum dilatatum 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.