Puccinellia nutkaensis
Alaska alkali grass
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Puccinellia nutkaensis (Alaska alkali grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by largest lemmas and inflorescences distinguish it.
Alaska alkali grass is a native perennial found in northern coastal California in marshes and wet sites at elevations below 10 meters. Flowering in June, this grass produces small flowers in delicate branching inflorescences 5 to 30 centimeters long. Growing with slender stems that feature narrow leaves 1.5 to 6 millimeters wide, it forms dense tufted clusters in wetland environments. Its leaves are primarily cauline, with blades that can be flat or slightly rolled, adapting to its moist habitat conditions. The plant's delicate spikelets have lemmas with acute to obtuse tips that are subtly serrated near the edges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 3 species; largest lemmas and inflorescences distinguish it
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshes, wet sites
Elevation: < 10 m
California counties: Humboldt, Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara, Yolo, San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma, Inyo, San Francisco, San Bernardino
Outside California: to Alaska
Bloom period
Puccinellia nutkaensis blooms Jun.
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 nutkaensis native to California?
Yes. Puccinellia nutkaensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Puccinellia nutkaensis bloom?
Puccinellia nutkaensis blooms Jun.
Where in California does Puccinellia nutkaensis grow?
Puccinellia nutkaensis occurs in Humboldt, Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara, Yolo, San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma and other counties, at elevations of < 10 m.
What plant family does Puccinellia nutkaensis belong to?
Puccinellia nutkaensis is in the Poaceae family, genus Puccinellia.
What habitat does Puccinellia nutkaensis grow in?
Puccinellia nutkaensis grows in Marshes, wet sites.
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.