Stipa latiglumis
Wide-glumed needle grass
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Stipa latiglumis (Wide-glumed needle grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by awn characteristics and forest habitat.
Wide-glumed needle grass is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Range on dry slopes in conifer forest at elevations of 1,100 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this grass produces delicate tan to light brown spikelets with long, gracefully bent awns up to 45 millimeters long. Growing with stems 50 to 110 centimeters tall, it develops dense, compact inflorescences 15 to 30 centimeters in length. Its leaf blades are narrow, measuring just 0.7 to 3 millimeters wide, with proximal sheaths typically covered in soft hairs. The distinctive awn is bent twice and persistently attached, with dense hairs along its lower portion and slightly rough surfaces toward the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; awn characteristics and forest habitat help distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes in conifer forest
Elevation: 1100-2200 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Mariposa, Mono, Riverside, Tulare
Bloom period
Stipa latiglumis blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Nassella: Nassella has feathery plumose awns; Stipa awns are scabrous (rough) not plumose.; vs Oloptum: Oloptum has twice-bent awns with dense crown; Stipa has once-bent awns.; vs Eriocoma: Eriocoma has densely hairy lemmas; Stipa lemmas are smooth to scabrous.; vs Pappostipa: Pappostipa has plumose awns; Stipa awns are rough but not feathery.; vs Bromus: Bromus has multiple-flowered spikelets; Stipa has single-flowered spikelets with bent awns.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stipa latiglumis native to California?
Yes. Stipa latiglumis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stipa latiglumis bloom?
Stipa latiglumis blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Stipa latiglumis grow?
Stipa latiglumis occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Mariposa, Mono, Riverside, Tulare, at elevations of 1100-2200 m.
What plant family does Stipa latiglumis belong to?
Stipa latiglumis is in the Poaceae family, genus Stipa.
What habitat does Stipa latiglumis grow in?
Stipa latiglumis grows in dry slopes in conifer forest.
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.