Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Poa macrantha is a species of grass known by the common names seashore bluegrass and large-flowered sand dune bluegrass. It is native to the west coast of North America from Alaska to northern California, where it grows in sand dunes and other beach habitat. Poa macrantha is a perennial grass growing in loose clumps with stems up to 60 centimeters in maximum height. The grass grows from a network of very long, stout rhizomes and stolons which may be up to 4 meters in length, anchoring the grass in its shifting sandy substrate. The inflorescence is a dense series of clustered spikelets which are flattened and longer than wide. The plant is dioecious with male and female individuals bearing different types of flowers; the two flower types are similar in appearance.

Plant type

Grass

Size

5 - 24 in Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Slow

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Winter

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 9 likely

Confirmed Likely

Sachem

Atalopedes campestris

Small Wood-Nymph

Cercyonis oetus

Common Wood Nymph

Cercyonis pegala

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia