Sphenopholis obtusata
Prairie wedge grass
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Sphenopholis obtusata (Prairie wedge grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by distinctive wet habitat preferences.
Prairie wedge grass is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, southern Sierra Nevada, northeastern Santa Ana River region, San Bernardo Mountains, and southern-central Peninsular Ranges in wet meadows, streambanks, and pond environments at elevations of 240 to 2,870 meters. Flowering from April to June, this grass produces delicate pale green to light brown spikelets 2 to 5 millimeters long in compact, generally erect inflorescences. Growing with slender stems 20 to 80 centimeters tall, it develops flat leaf blades 5 to 8 centimeters long with glabrous to slightly rough sheaths. Its leaves feature distinctive jagged-tipped ligules 1 to 4 millimeters long, characteristic of this elegant grassland species. The plant occasionally flowers in its first year, with lower spikelets having acute, linear lower glumes and widely obovate upper glumes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated from all congeners; distinctive wet habitat preferences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, streambanks, ponds
Elevation: 240-2870 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Amador, Riverside, Inyo, San Diego, Orange, Mono, Tulare, Fresno, Stanislaus
Outside California: North America, Caribbean
Bloom period
Sphenopholis obtusata blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Sphenopholis obtusata native to California?
Yes. Sphenopholis obtusata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sphenopholis obtusata bloom?
Sphenopholis obtusata blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Sphenopholis obtusata grow?
Sphenopholis obtusata occurs in San Bernardino, Amador, Riverside, Inyo, San Diego, Orange, Mono, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of 240-2870 m.
What plant family does Sphenopholis obtusata belong to?
Sphenopholis obtusata is in the Poaceae family, genus Sphenopholis.
Is Sphenopholis obtusata rare or endangered?
Sphenopholis obtusata carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
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.