Species Detail Grasses

Plant - Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium, Usage Rights: Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC)		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Achnatherum lettermanii - Letterman's needlegrass Synonyms: Stipa lettermanii Plant Form: Grass Family: Poaceae


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Spikelets Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium, Usage Rights: Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC)


	Grass Description - Glossary of Grass Terminology Origin: Native Season: Warm Habitat Description: Meadows and on dry slopes, from chaparral to subalpine habitats. Plant Communities:Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest Elevation: 5200 - 8500 feet Similar Species: Hesperostipa comata General Description Desc: Densely tufted, slender, bunchgrass which often forms large clumps. It begins growth early and remains green throughout a relatively long season. Identification Notes: Awns less than 1 inch; blades involute (rolled); plants tufted. Grass Type: Perennial bunchgrass Rhizomes: N Stolons: N Large Dense Clump (> 2 feet): N Bushy (highly branched): N Height with Seedheads: 12 to 24 inches Seedhead Structure: Branched - contracted Seedhead Droops: N Flowering Period: Aug - Oct Flower Characteristics Number of Flowers per Spikelet: One-flowered Spikelets One-sided: N Awns: 1/4 inch to 1 inch Three Awns: N Awns Bent: Y Flower and Seedhead Notes: Seedheads are 4 to 7 inches long, pale green and loosely flowered. Awns are twice-bent and rough to the touch. Vegetative Charcteristics Blade Hairy: Y Blade with White Margins: N Blade Cross section: Involute Blade Notes: Blades are 2 to 8 inches long with some short, fine straight erect hairs. Sheath Hairy: N Tuft of Hairs at top of Sheath or Collar: Y Ligules: Membranous and hairy Auricles (Ear-like lobes at collar area: N Forage Value: Generally most palatable early in the season before the foliage becomes coarse and wiry. It is rated fair in energy value and poor in protein content.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailGrass.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer