Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Achnatherum coronatum is a greenish species of grass known by the common name crested needlegrass. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows on the coastal and inland hills, often in chaparral plant communities. This is a perennial grass forming loose bunches up to about two meters in maximum height, but usually shorter. It is similar to its relative, Achnatherum parishii, and the two intergrade in many characteristics and are easily confused. The grass bears a generous flower cluster up to 60 centimeters long with large spikelets up to 2 centimeters long each, not including an awn of up to 4.5 centimeters. The awn has two distinct kinks.

Plant type

Grass

Size

4 - 7 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Brown

Special uses

Deer resistant

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Usually found in rocky, sandy or gravelly soil.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Sunset Zones

7, 11, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22*, 23*

Site type

Gravelly or rocky slopes

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Foothill Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 4 likely

Confirmed Likely

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Juba Skipper

Hesperia juba

Nevada Skipper

Hesperia nevada

Uncas Skipper

Hesperia uncas