Nodding Needlegrass
Nassella cernua
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
John Rusk (www.flickr.com) from Berkeley, CA, United States of America
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Nassella
- Species:
- Nassella cernua
- USDA Symbol:
- NACE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the base after fire; historically part of fire-adapted California grassland ecosystems.
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:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with cool temperatures and adequate moisture; fall sowing works well in Mediterranean climates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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