Pleuropogon sp.
Semaphore grass, Semaphore Grass
Family: Poaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Pleuropogon sp. (Semaphore grass) is a native California perennial in the Poaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Pleuropogon sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Pleuropogon sp. belong to?
Pleuropogon sp. is in the Poaceae family, genus Pleuropogon.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pleuropogon californicus — Annual semaphoregrass
- Pleuropogon californicus var. californicus — Annual semaphoregrass
- Pleuropogon californicus var. davyi — Davy's semaphore grass
- Pleuropogon hooverianus — North coast semaphore grass
- Pleuropogon refractus — Nodding semaphore grass
- Poa abbreviata — Dwarf blue grass
- Poa abbreviata subsp. marshii — Marsh's blue grass
- Poa abbreviata subsp. pattersonii — Patterson's blue grass
- Poa annua — Annual blue grass
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.