Puccinellia howellii
Howell's alkali grass
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Puccinellia howellii (Howell's alkali grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by distinguished mainly by large anthers and lemmas.
Howell's alkali grass is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in Shasta County at mineral springs around 425 meters elevation. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale green to white flowers in delicate branching clusters. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it has a fine, compact growth habit characteristic of alkali-adapted grasses. Its narrow leaves are tightly rolled, measuring 1.4 to 2.2 millimeters wide when unfolded, with a distinctive fine texture. The plant's small spikelets feature lemmas with slightly scabrous margins, giving the inflorescence a subtle textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 3 species; distinguished mainly by large anthers and lemmas
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mineral springs
Elevation: +- 425 m.
California counties: Shasta
Bloom period
Puccinellia howellii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Distichlis: Puccinellia has round stems and tufted growth; Distichlis has strongly flattened stems with leaves in two distinct rows.; vs Bromus: Puccinellia has faint 5-veined lemmas in alkaline sites; Bromus has prominent 5-9 veined lemmas in upland sites.; vs Torreyochloa: Puccinellia is tufted in saline soils; Torreyochloa has rhizomes and grows in high-elevation freshwater.; vs Glyceria: Puccinellia has faintly veined lemmas in alkaline soil; Glyceria has prominent veins and closed leaf sheaths in freshwater.; vs Desmazeria: Puccinellia is perennial in alkaline wetlands; Desmazeria is annual of dry disturbed sites with different spikelet structure.
Frequently asked questions
Is Puccinellia howellii native to California?
Yes. Puccinellia howellii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Puccinellia howellii bloom?
Puccinellia howellii blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Puccinellia howellii grow?
Puccinellia howellii occurs in Shasta, at elevations of +- 425 m..
What plant family does Puccinellia howellii belong to?
Puccinellia howellii is in the Poaceae family, genus Puccinellia.
Is Puccinellia howellii rare or endangered?
Puccinellia howellii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.