Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Agrostis exarata is a species of grass known by the common names Pacific bentgrass, spike bentgrass, and spike redtop. It is native to western North America from Texas to the Aleutian Islands. This is a common perennial grass reaching one to three feet in height with long, thin, flat leaves each with a ligule of 2 to 4 millimeters. The tuft flower cluster may be up to 30 centimeters long and is usually dense with tiny spikelets. It reproduces mainly by seed, but it can also spread via rhizome. This bunchgrass occurs in many plant communities in varied climates. It is considered good forage for livestock.

Plant type

Grass

Size

1 - 3 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Soil description

Adaptable, tolerant of sand, loam and clay.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Site type

Open disturbed places

Plant communities

Chaparral, Closed-cone Pine Forest, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, North Coastal Coniferous Forest, Red Fir Forest, Forest, Subalpine Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Bats
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 4 likely

Confirmed Likely

Common Roadside-Skipper

Amblyscirtes vialis

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Armyworm Moth

Mythimna unipuncta

Sandhill Skipper

Polites sabuleti