Purple Needlegrass
Nassella pulchra
Anthony Valois and the National Park Service
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Nassella
- Species:
- Nassella pulchra
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Purple, Brown
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: California
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or clay loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to California grasslands
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cold stratify seeds in the refrigerator for 3 weeks
Establishment: N. pulchra is found in dry places below 4,000 feet elevation in the coastal ranges and foothills of the Sierras; from Humboldt to San Diego counties, Channel Islands to Lower California. Seeds are collected when mature inflorescences are brown and seed is light gray at maturity.
Source: npn.rngr.net