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It is considered a symbol of the state because it is viewed by some as one of the most widespread native California grasses, it supported Native American groups as well as Mexican ranchers, and it helps suppress invasive plant species and support native oaks.
Nassella pulchra – purple needlegrass; currently reclassified as Stipa pulchra. A native grass of California that was once a dominant species in California grasslands before invasive European grasses became dominant. The seeds were an important food source for many of the Indigenous peoples of California.
Purple Needlegrasss is California's most widespread native grass. It was named California's State Grass in 2004. Purple needlegrass gets its name from the color of its young seeds. It is a perennial bunchgrass that can grow up to 3 feet tall.
A graceful perennial grass for cottage gardens, prairies, and meadows thanks to its ability to self-sow. Excellent as a groundcover. Generally pest and disease free. Propagate by seed. Native to California.
Purple needlegrass is a densely tufted, long-lived, upright perennial bunchgrass with conspicuously long awns. It has numerous basal leaves and a distinct nodding habit at anthesis. Plants are generally 2 to 3 feet tall (0.6 to 0.9 m) producing an open, nodding panicle of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm).
Purple needlegrass occurs on dry slopes below 5,000 feet in the Coast Ranges from Humboldt to San Diego counties and extending into Baja California, in the Sierra foothills, and on the Channel Islands. I’ll save a discussion of the history of disturbance and threats to California’s native grasslands for another time.
California chose a valuable native grass for its State Grass: purple needlegrass. It grows from the Oregon border to Baja California and can live for 100 years and more. This 2-3 foot tall native bunchgrass has 2-6 feet deep roots.
