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Sturla, Gene

Dasyochloa pulchella

Dasyochloa pulchella (Kunth) Willd. ex Rydb.

Desert Fluffgrass, Low Woollygrass, Low Tridens, Fluff Grass, Fluffgrass, Desert Fluff-grass

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): Erioneuron pulchellum, Tridens pulchellus, Triodia pulchella

USDA Symbol: dapu7

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A low, densely tufted perennial bunchgrass, sometimes forming open mats.

Although generally considered to be a poor forage grass, this plant is quite attractive. Its fluffiness contrasts with the stark, open background of its relatively barren habitat.

From the Image Gallery

38 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

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 6 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: The flowers (florets) of grasses are often minute and therefore not visible to the naked eye.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , MD , NM , NV , TX , UT
Native Distribution: S. Nevada, Utah, Colorado to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Native Habitat: Hillsides/Slopes, Flat desert areas

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Seeds-granivorous birds, Seeds-Small mammals, Nesting material
Attracts: Birds

Bibliography

Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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 Dasyochloa pulchella in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dasyochloa pulchella in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dasyochloa pulchella

Metadata

Record Modified: 2026-10-15
Research By: TWC Staff

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