Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Calamagrostis

Species:

Calamagrostis ophitidis

USDA Symbol:

CAOP2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

100 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fall Color:

tan, golden

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Typical of California serpentine grasslands that experience periodic fire. Resprouts from rhizomes after fire.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rocky, well-drained serpentine soil

pH:

5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to serpentine outcrops, requires specific mineral content

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow after cold stratification.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI