Puccinellia parishii
Parish's alkali grass, Parish's Alkali Grass
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Puccinellia parishii (Parish's alkali grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by lemma tip shape and hairiness.
Parish's alkali grass is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in western Mojave Desert regions, specifically southwestern San Bernardino County, in mineral springs at elevations of 700 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate grass produces small, subtle flowers with densely hairy lemma veins. Growing with slender stems and extremely narrow leaves less than 1.2 millimeters wide when fully extended, the plant has an intricate, compact inflorescence 1 to 8.5 centimeters long with erect to reflexed lower branches. Its leaves are characteristically cauline, tightly inrolled, creating a fine, thread-like appearance. The plant's smallest lemmas measure approximately 2 millimeters long, with obtuse to truncate tips and sparse fine scabrous margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 1 species; lemma tip shape and hairiness are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mineral springs
Elevation: 700-1000 m
Outside California: to New Mexico
Bloom period
Puccinellia parishii blooms Apr-May.
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 parishii native to California?
Yes. Puccinellia parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Puccinellia parishii bloom?
Puccinellia parishii blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Puccinellia parishii belong to?
Puccinellia parishii is in the Poaceae family, genus Puccinellia.
Is Puccinellia parishii rare or endangered?
Puccinellia parishii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Puccinellia parishii grow in?
Puccinellia parishii grows in Mineral springs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.