Pleuropogon refractus
Nodding semaphore grass
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Pleuropogon refractus (Nodding semaphore grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by uniquely distinguished by reflexed spikelets and long awns.
Nodding semaphore grass is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, Klamath Range, and northern coastal Redwood forests in wet meadows and shady banks at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to July, this grass produces delicate pendulous spikelets that reflexively bend at maturity. Growing with upright stems 70 to 150 centimeters tall that often root at lower nodes, it spreads through underground rhizomes. Its leaf blades are relatively wide, measuring 5 to 14 millimeters across, with ligules 2 to 9 millimeters long. The distinctive inflorescences reach 20 to 35 centimeters long, with spikelets 2.5 to 5 centimeters in length that dramatically arch when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; uniquely distinguished by reflexed spikelets and long awns
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, shady banks
Elevation: < 1600 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Marin
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Pleuropogon refractus blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Glyceria: Pleuropogon has winged seed husks; Glyceria seed husks lack wings.; vs Avena: Pleuropogon grows in wet places with nodding clusters; Avena grows in dry disturbed sites with upright clusters.; vs Hordeum: Pleuropogon has broad leaves and nodding spikelets; Hordeum has narrow leaves and upright spikes.; vs Hilaria: Pleuropogon prefers wet grasslands; Hilaria grows in dry deserts with 3-spikelet clusters.; vs Desmazeria: Pleuropogon has nodding spikelets and winged husks; Desmazeria has stiff upright spikelets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pleuropogon refractus native to California?
Yes. Pleuropogon refractus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pleuropogon refractus bloom?
Pleuropogon refractus blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Pleuropogon refractus grow?
Pleuropogon refractus occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Marin, at elevations of < 1600 m.
What plant family does Pleuropogon refractus belong to?
Pleuropogon refractus is in the Poaceae family, genus Pleuropogon.
Is Pleuropogon refractus rare or endangered?
Pleuropogon refractus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pleuropogon sp. — Semaphore grass
- Pleuropogon californicus — Annual semaphoregrass
- Pleuropogon californicus var. californicus — Annual semaphoregrass
- Pleuropogon californicus var. davyi — Davy's semaphore grass
- Pleuropogon hooverianus — North coast semaphore grass
- Poa abbreviata — Dwarf blue grass
- Poa abbreviata subsp. marshii — Marsh's blue grass
- Poa abbreviata subsp. pattersonii — Patterson's blue grass
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.