Swallenia alexandrae
Eureka valley dune grass, Eureka Valley Dune Grass
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
Swallenia alexandrae (Eureka valley dune grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to California's sand dune habitats, evolutionarily distinct from other grass genera.
Eureka valley dune grass is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Mojave Desert's Eureka Valley in northeastern Inyo County on sand dunes at elevations of 900 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to June, this distinctive grass produces pale, delicate flower clusters in panicle-like arrangements 4 to 10 centimeters long. Growing in tufted clumps with thick, scaly rhizomes, it develops stiff, ascending stems 15 to 35 centimeters tall that are strongly ridged and generally glabrous. Its leaves are sharp-pointed, strongly divergent, and awl-like, measuring 5 to 14 centimeters long and 3 to 6 millimeters wide, with dense hairy ligules and tufts of soft hairs at the collar. The fruit is compact, approximately 4 millimeters long and 2 millimeters wide, falling cleanly from its floret.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to California's sand dune habitats, evolutionarily distinct from other grass genera
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand dunes (locally abundant)
Elevation: 900-1200 m
California counties: Inyo, San Diego
Bloom period
Swallenia alexandrae blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
Frequently asked questions
Is Swallenia alexandrae native to California?
Yes. Swallenia alexandrae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Swallenia alexandrae bloom?
Swallenia alexandrae blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Swallenia alexandrae grow?
Swallenia alexandrae occurs in Inyo, San Diego, at elevations of 900-1200 m.
What plant family does Swallenia alexandrae belong to?
Swallenia alexandrae is in the Poaceae family, genus Swallenia.
Is Swallenia alexandrae rare or endangered?
Swallenia alexandrae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.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.