Triglochin concinna var. debilis
Slender arrow grass
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Family: Juncaginaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Triglochin concinna var. debilis (Slender arrow grass) is a native California perennial in the Juncaginaceae family, recognized by size and inflorescence height.
Slender arrow grass is a California native perennial found in northeastern Klamath Ranges, northern California Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions in alkaline meadows, seeps, mudflats, and along stream and lake margins at elevations of 400 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces tiny green to white flowers in elongated inflorescences that typically extend well beyond its leaves. Growing to heights of 10 to 50 centimeters with slender, erect stems emerging from a fibrous base, it forms delicate, grass-like clusters in wet, saline environments. Its leaves are narrow, linear, and succulent, emerging from the base of the plant in a loose, spreading arrangement. The fruits are small, narrow capsules that develop along the elongated flower stalks, contributing to the plant's distinctive grasslike appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by size and inflorescence height
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline meadows, seeps, mudflats, stream and lake margins
Elevation: 400-2500 m
California counties: Inyo, Tulare, Mono, Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, Shasta, Kern, San Bernardino
Outside California: circumboreal, South America
Bloom period
Triglochin concinna var. debilis blooms Mar-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Plantago: Triglochin has bractless flower spikes with scale-like flowers; Plantago has obvious leafy bracts below the flower cluster.; vs Typha: Triglochin has a slender spike of tiny greenish flowers; Typha has dense, brown, sausage-shaped flower heads.; vs Juncus: Triglochin leaves are semicircular in cross-section with a groove above; Juncus leaves are round or flat without a groove.; vs Rumex: Triglochin leaves are undivided grass-like blades; Rumex has broader leaves with a distinct midvein and papery sheaths.; vs Lomandra: Triglochin has tiny greenish flowers in a slender spike; Lomandra has larger cream-yellow flowers in dense clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Triglochin concinna var. debilis native to California?
Yes. Triglochin concinna var. debilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triglochin concinna var. debilis bloom?
Triglochin concinna var. debilis blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Triglochin concinna var. debilis grow?
Triglochin concinna var. debilis occurs in Inyo, Tulare, Mono, Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, Shasta, Kern and other counties, at elevations of 400-2500 m.
What plant family does Triglochin concinna var. debilis belong to?
Triglochin concinna var. debilis is in the Juncaginaceae family, genus Triglochin.
What habitat does Triglochin concinna var. debilis grow in?
Triglochin concinna var. debilis grows in Alkaline meadows, seeps, mudflats, stream and lake margins.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.