Vahlodea atropurpurea
Mountain hairgrass
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Vahlodea atropurpurea (Mountain hairgrass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by Circumboreal species, only Vahlodea representative in California with very limited range.
Mountain hairgrass is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, including Marble Mountains and Trinity Alps, and the high Cascade Range near Mount Shasta in wet meadows and streambanks within conifer forest at elevations of 2,000 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces purple-tinged spikelets in open, spreading panicles over one centimeter wide. Growing in dense tufts with erect stems 15 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms distinctive clumps with glabrous basal leaves. Its leaves are flat, 4 to 9 centimeters long and 3 to 7 millimeters wide, with short ligules that are obtuse to truncate and minutely ciliate at the tip. The delicate spikelets feature lemmas with soft hairs and small straight awns, giving the plant a subtle, intricate texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Circumboreal species, only Vahlodea representative in California with very limited range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet sites, meadows, streambanks, in conifer forest
Elevation: 2000-2300 m
Outside California: Alaska, eastern Canada, northeastern United States, northern Eurasia
Bloom period
Vahlodea atropurpurea blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Aira: Vahlodea is perennial with wide stem leaves; Aira is annual with basal leaves only.; vs Deschampsia: Vahlodea has wide leaves (3-7mm) along stem; Deschampsia has narrow basal leaves.; vs Trisetum: Vahlodea's axis extension is tiny and hairless; Trisetum's is longer and clearly hairy.; vs Danthonia: Vahlodea has inconspicuous awns from mid-lemma; Danthonia has prominent awns from notched tips.; vs Rytidosperma: Vahlodea has smooth lemmas; Rytidosperma has lemmas with 9 distinct lobes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vahlodea atropurpurea native to California?
Yes. Vahlodea atropurpurea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Vahlodea atropurpurea bloom?
Vahlodea atropurpurea blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Vahlodea atropurpurea belong to?
Vahlodea atropurpurea is in the Poaceae family, genus Vahlodea.
Is Vahlodea atropurpurea rare or endangered?
Vahlodea atropurpurea carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Vahlodea atropurpurea grow in?
Vahlodea atropurpurea grows in Wet sites, meadows, streambanks, in conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.