Origin: Native   Season: Warm Habitat Description: Alpine and subalpine meadows along wet seepage areas and bogs; wet openings with mossy areas in coniferous forests. Plant Communities:Riparian Elevation: 5500 - 10500 feet
General Description
Desc:
Stems are erect and slender. Narrow flat leaves are mostly basal. Seedheads appear tufted and are open and spreading. Identification Notes: Panicle open, branches have secondary branches in the lower half; spikelets start at the middle of the branches; palea very short, 1/3 as long as the lemma, 1-flowered spikelets. 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 - open and spreading Seedhead Droops: N Flowering Period: Jul - Aug Flower Characteristics
Number of Flowers per Spikelet: One-flowered Spikelets One-sided: N Awns: Less than 1/4 inch Three Awns: N Awns Bent: N Flower and Seedhead Notes: Seedhead is an open, thin array of wispy branches bearing spikelets. Lower seedhead branches are whorled and flowers are bisexual.
Vegetative Charcteristics
Blade Hairy:
N
Blade with White Margins:
N
Blade Cross section:
Flat
Blade Notes:
Leaves are mostly basal and clasp the stems. Leaf sheaths are mostly open and smooth. Older leaves are often inrolled.
Sheath Hairy:
N
Tuft of Hairs at top of Sheath or Collar:
N
Ligules:
Membranous Auricles (Ear-like lobes at collar area:
N
Forage Value:
Fair to good, especially palatable when young.
Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590