Purple Needlegrass
Nassella pulchra
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Daderot
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Nassella
- Species:
- Nassella pulchra
- USDA Symbol:
- NAPU4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, 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 root crown after fire; historically maintained by periodic burning in California grasslands.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with fall or winter sowing; best results with cool temperatures and consistent moisture during establishment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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