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Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei

Achnatherum nelsonii (Scribn.) Barkworth ssp. dorei (Barkworth & Maze) Barkworth

Dore's Needlegrass, Columbia Needlegrass

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): Achnatherum nelsonii var. dorei, Stipa columbiana, Stipa minor, Stipa nelsonii ssp. dorei, Stipa nelsonii var. dorei, Stipa occidentalis var. minor

USDA Symbol: ACNED

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The culms of this cool-season, perennial bunchgrass rise 1-5 ft., slightly taller than the leaves. The seedhead is narrow, dense and purplish. The spikelets bear a distinctive awn extending far beyond the grain.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , OR , TX , WA , WY
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Black Hills to the Yukon, s. to w. TX & CA
Native Habitat: Dry plains, meadows & open woods at medium to high elevations

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Columbia needlegrass is drought tolerant and useful for revegetating rangelands at higher elevations.

Propagation

Description: Sow seed.
Seed Treatment: No treatment necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-31
Research By: TWC Staff

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