Nodding Needlegrass
Nassella cernua
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Anthony Valois and the National Park Service
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Nassella
- Species:
- Nassella cernua
- USDA Symbol:
- NACE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
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 crown after fire; benefits from periodic fire to reduce thatch and promote seedling establishment.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; sow in fall or after cold stratification if spring planting.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are surface sterilized with either a 5 to 15 minute Physan fungicide soak or a 3 minute 5% bleach solution prior to testing or sowing.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected when fully matured, usually in late July and early August. Nodding Needlegrass is found throughout southern California and is rare on Catalina Island. It inhabits dry or eroded clayey or grassy slopes.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Seed Group (seeds)