Torreyochloa erecta
Spiked false mannagrass
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Torreyochloa erecta (Spiked false mannagrass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by erect inflorescence branches vs. weakly reflexed to spreading.
Spiked false mannagrass is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada and high Cascade Range in stream and lake margins, and conifer forest at elevations of 2,000 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this grass produces delicate inflorescences with erect to ascending branches 5.5 to 11 centimeters long. Growing with stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms dense clusters with upright growth habit. Its spikelets contain 4 to 7 florets, with the lowest lemma measuring 2.3 to 3.1 millimeters long. The plant's smallest florets feature tiny anthers approximately 0.6 to 0.8 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by erect inflorescence branches vs. weakly reflexed to spreading
Habitat and range
Habitat: Stream, lake margins, conifer forest
Elevation: 2000-3500 m
California counties: Fresno, Mono, El Dorado, Tulare, Tuolumne, Madera, Glenn, Plumas, Mariposa, Calaveras, Siskiyou, Amador, Alpine, Nevada, Sierra, Inyo, Tehama, Kern, Placer
Outside California: to Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Torreyochloa erecta blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Puccinellia: Torreyochloa has prominent 7-9 veined lemmas in freshwater; Puccinellia has faint 5-veined lemmas in saline/alkaline soil.; vs Glyceria: Torreyochloa has 7-9 veined lemmas and 3-veined upper glumes; Glyceria has only 1-veined upper glumes.; vs Desmazeria: Torreyochloa has rhizomes and prominent parallel veins; Desmazeria is annual without rhizomes and has different vein patterns.; vs Melica: Torreyochloa has 7-9 parallel veins on lemmas; Melica has club-shaped sterile florets at spikelet tips.; vs Festuca: Torreyochloa has rhizomes and prominently 7-9 veined lemmas; Festuca is tufted with 5-veined lemmas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Torreyochloa erecta native to California?
Yes. Torreyochloa erecta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Torreyochloa erecta bloom?
Torreyochloa erecta blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Torreyochloa erecta grow?
Torreyochloa erecta occurs in Fresno, Mono, El Dorado, Tulare, Tuolumne, Madera, Glenn, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of 2000-3500 m.
What plant family does Torreyochloa erecta belong to?
Torreyochloa erecta is in the Poaceae family, genus Torreyochloa.
What habitat does Torreyochloa erecta grow in?
Torreyochloa erecta grows in Stream, lake margins, 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.