Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Tufted Hair-grass or Tussock grass (Deschampsia cespitosa or Deschampsia caespitosa) is a wild plant from the grass family (Poaceae). Distribution of this grass species is widespread including the eastern and western extremes of North America, parts of South America and Eurasia. In California it is most commonly found in the central and northern portions of the state, including the Coast Ranges and Sierras. It is found in coastal prairie habitat and mountain meadows, along with other native grasses such as Fescues (Festuca spp.) and Needlegrass (Stipa spp.). It is most often found in moist to very wet areas such as freshwater or saltwater marsh, riparian areas, and woodland/forest habitats.

Plant type

Grass

Size

3 ft Tall
3 ft Wide

Form

Fountain

Dormancy

Summer Semi-deciduous

Fragrance

None

Calscape icon
Color

Brown

Special uses

Deer resistant, Lawn alternative

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low, Moderate, High

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / week once established

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 0° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow, Standing

Soil description

Tolerant of sand and clay.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 7.0

Site type

Wet places, meadows, streambanks, marshes, coastal prairie or mountain meadows

Plant communities

Alpine Fell-Fields, Coastal Prairie, Coastal Salt Marsh, Freshwater Marsh, Lodgepole Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Coastal Scrub, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Use in moist locations with other native grasses, perennial herbs or annual wildflowers such as Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis), Sedges (Carex spp.), Rush (Juncus spp.), Monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis or guttatus), and Hedge Nettle (Stachys spp.)

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Juba Skipper

Hesperia juba

Umber Skipper

Poanes melane