Foothill Needlegrass
Nassella lepida
- Native to:
- Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, United States
Robert Steers/NPS
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Nassella
- Species:
- Nassella lepida
- USDA Symbol:
- NALE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
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 basal crown after fire. Common component of fire-adapted California grasslands and coastal sage scrub.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to California chaparral and coastal scrub
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Germinates best with cool temperatures and light exposure. Fall sowing recommended in Mediterranean climates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Surface sterilize seed coats with a 5 minute Physan fungicide soak or a 3 minute 5% bleach solution prior to sowing.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected when fully matured, typically from late May to June. The plant is native to southern California and the channel islands, inhabiting dry, rocky slopes and bluffs.
Source: npn.rngr.net