Nassella pulchra
Nassella pulchra, basionym Stipa pulchra, is a species of grass known by the common names purple needlegrass and purple tussockgrass. It is native to the U.S. state of California, where it occurs throughout the coastal hills, valleys, and mountain ranges, as well as the Sacramento Valley and parts of the Sierra Nevada foothills, and Baja California.
It grows in many types of local habitat, including grassland, chaparral, and oak woodland. It grows well on clay and serpentine soils.
Description
Nassella pulchra is a perennial bunch grass producing tufts of erect, unbranched stems up to tall. The extensive root system can reach deep into the soil, making the grass more tolerant of drought.The open, nodding inflorescence is up to 60 centimeters long and has many branches bearing Spikelets.
The plant produces copious seed, up to 227 pounds per acre in dense stands. The pointed fruit is purple-tinged when young and has an awn up to 10 centimeters long which is twisted and bent twice. The shape of the seed helps it self-bury.