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:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; benefits from periodic fire to reduce competition.
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:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify for 30-60 days.
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