Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Puccinellia nutkaensis is a species of grass known by the common names Nootka alkaligrass and Alaska alkali grass. It is native to North America from Alaska across northern Canada to Greenland and Nova Scotia, and down the west coast of the United States to the Central Coast of California. Puccinellia nutkaensis is a perennial bunchgrass which is quite variable in appearance, taking a petite, clumpy form or growing erect to 90 centimeters in height with robust inflorescences. It sometimes roots at stem nodes that become buried in moist substrate, and forms dense stands. A species of leafhopper, Macrosteles fascifrons, is associated with this grass in Alaska, remaining on the grass even when it is submerged amid icebergs.

Plant type

Grass

Size

3 ft Tall

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Color

Brown

Plant communities

Coastal Salt Marsh