Lemmon's Needlegrass
Eriocoma lemmonii
Also known as: pubescent Lemmon's needlegrass
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © sapienshane (iNaturalist #216224889)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Eriocoma
- Species:
- Eriocoma lemmonii
- USDA Symbol:
- ACLE8
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal buds following fire; typical of Great Basin bunchgrasses.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid, mountainous regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Cool season grass; germinates best at cooler temperatures in spring or fall.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: This species needs a period of cool/moist stratification in order to break dormancy.
Establishment: Propagation can be moderately difficult because plants mature seed unevenly, are low yielding, and can be sparse. Seeds can be stripped from the seedhead or the heads cut off and bagged. The plant is found naturally in northern and western California, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains, north to southern British Columbia and east to Montana, Utah, and Arizona. It usually inhabits south slopes, upland prairies, savannas, and openings in pine woodlands in full sun.
Source: npn.rngr.net