Stipa manicata
Andean tussock grass
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Stipa manicata (Andean tussock grass) is a non-native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by distinct lemma crown and large size.
Andean tussock grass is a naturalized perennial grass found in northern California Coast, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, and central California Coast at elevations below 400 meters in moist meadows and disturbed areas. Flowering in June, this grass produces delicate, pale inflorescences 10 to 20 centimeters long with open, occasionally side-branching panicles. Growing with tall stems 4 to 15 decimeters high, it forms distinctive tussock-like clumps with robust, upright growth. Its leaf blades are narrow, 12 to 25 centimeters long and 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters wide, typically flat or slightly rolled at the margins. Its seed heads feature distinctive awns 30 to 50 millimeters long that are sharply bent twice and persist after maturity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; distinct lemma crown and large size are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist meadows, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 400 m
Outside California: Mississippi, native to South America
Bloom period
Stipa manicata blooms Jun.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
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 manicata native to California?
No. Stipa manicata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Stipa manicata bloom?
Stipa manicata blooms Jun.
What plant family does Stipa manicata belong to?
Stipa manicata is in the Poaceae family, genus Stipa.
Is Stipa manicata invasive in California?
Stipa manicata is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Stipa manicata grow in?
Stipa manicata grows in Moist meadows, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.