Schismus arabicus
Arabian schismus
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Schismus arabicus (Arabian schismus) is a non-native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by (S. barbatus). Key differences in glume and lemma measurements provide clear morphological distinction.
Arabian schismus is a naturalized annual grass found in the southern San Joaquin Valley, central western California, southern California Coast, southern Channel Islands, Transverse Ranges, White and Inyo Mountains, and desert regions at elevations below 1,900 meters in dry, open, generally disturbed areas. Flowering from March to May, this grass produces small, inconspicuous flowers in delicate, thread-like spikelets. Growing with slender stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms compact, low-growing clusters in arid landscapes. Its leaves are extremely narrow, less than one millimeter wide, resembling fine threads that spread out from the base of the plant. This adaptable grass thrives in disturbed habitats, quickly colonizing open ground with its fine, wispy growth form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (S. barbatus). Key differences in glume and lemma measurements provide clear morphological distinction.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open, generally disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1900 m
California counties: Ventura, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Imperial, Kern, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Fresno, Mono, Kings, San Benito, San Diego, Tulare, Merced, Mendocino, San Joaquin, Stanislaus
Outside California: to Texas, Arizona, native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Schismus arabicus blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Stipellula: Schismus has dense flower heads with no awns; Stipellula has awned lemmas.; vs Bromus: Schismus is tiny (under 6 inches) with dense heads; Bromus is taller with drooping spikelets.; vs Aristida: Schismus completely lacks awns; Aristida has three distinctive awns per seed.; vs Festuca: Schismus forms desert carpets with compact heads; Festuca has looser, more open flower clusters.; vs Catapodium: Schismus has spikelets 4.5-7mm; Catapodium has smaller spikelets under 4mm.
Frequently asked questions
Is Schismus arabicus native to California?
No. Schismus arabicus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Schismus arabicus bloom?
Schismus arabicus blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Schismus arabicus grow?
Schismus arabicus occurs in Ventura, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Imperial, Kern, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of < 1900 m.
What plant family does Schismus arabicus belong to?
Schismus arabicus is in the Poaceae family, genus Schismus.
Is Schismus arabicus invasive in California?
Schismus arabicus is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
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.