California needlegrass, a conspicuously awnecl grass, is sometimes 

 called purple needlegrass, nodding needlegrass, southwestern porcu- 

 pinegrass, and beargrass. It is chiefly a California species, com- 

 monly found on the warmer, open, well-drained flats and on sparsely 

 timbered foothills and valleys at altitudes varying usually from 

 about sea level to 5,500 feet. It is most abundant in the coast 

 ranges of central California and extends south into Lower Cali- 

 fornia, occurring but sparsely in northern California. 



This species ranks high in forage value, being palatable to all 

 classes of livestock, and particularly to cattle and horses. In some 

 parts of California it is regarded as one of the most valuable grasses. 

 Although its palatability is highest in the spring, it is grazed 

 throughout the summer by cattle and horses and to some extent 

 by sheep. It produces a large amount of comparatively fine leafage 

 which remains green long after its commonly associated annuals 

 have dried up. This plant also cures well on the ground. The 

 seeds mature in early summer, after which the awns may be some- 

 what troublesome to sheep. When not grazed down during the 

 summer, the species provides very good fall and winter forage. 



California needlegrass is one of the most abundant needlegrasses 

 in California. It is believed to have been formerly even more plenti- 

 ful und one of the main grasses of the original bunchgrass cover 

 in central California. It depends chiefly upon seed for reproduc- 

 tion and on many ranges has been largely killed out by being grazed 

 so closely that seed could not mature. Under conservative use, 

 California needlegrass reproduces well and will replace the annual 

 grasses if given a chance. 



California needlegrass has numerous slender rough stems 24 to 

 40 inches high, often ascending at an angle (not erect) from a 

 tuft of long, slender, basal leaves. The panicle is commonly one- 

 third to one-half the length of the stems, has slender, loosely spread- 

 ing branches and, as a common name of the plant implies, has a 

 distinctly nodding habit. The glumes are purplish, three-nerved, 

 narrow, and long-tapering. The awns (beards) are 2 to 3y 2 inches 

 long, twisted, and twice-bent; the portion of the awn between the 

 first and second bend is relatively short and the last segment is 

 slender, tapering, and slightly curved. 



