Scleropogon brevifolius

Burro grass, Burro Grass

Family: Poaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3

Burro grass is a native perennial found in the eastern Desert Mountains, specifically the New York Mountains, in open creosote-bush scrub at approximately 1,600 meters elevation. Flowering from September to October, this grass produces inconspicuous spike-like inflorescences with delicate, sharp-pointed blades. Growing in dense, mat-like tufts with erect stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it spreads via short stolons to form low-growing patches. Its leaves are densely clustered, primarily basal, with firm blades 2 to 8 centimeters long and only 1 to 3 millimeters wide, terminating in sharp points. The grass produces distinctive pistillate spikelets with long, spreading awns 6 to 12 centimeters in length, giving it a unique and delicate appearance.

Habitat: Open creosote-bush scrub

Bloom period: Sep-Oct

Elevation: +- 1600 m.

Bioregions: e DMtns (New York Mtns)

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.