Stipa coronata

Identification

Gallery

Description

Giant needlegrass is a bunch grass, 4 ft. high, distinctive, grows in the mountains of central and southern California, for dry banks and paths, full sun, little water. The Stipas occur throughout California in many plant communities. They do not form large solid stands except in 20-50' clumps near seeps, but in most areas they stand as locus individuals. In the Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral Central Oak Woodland, and Southern Oak Woodland this Stipa occurs with annual wildflowers, buckwheats (Eriogonum), Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum), and Sagebrush (Artemisia). The desert plant communities have many of these same genera along with the bunch grasses. For the bunch grasses to be stable long-term plant the Stipas at 3 ft. intervals with at least some of the wildflowers from the native community between the Stipa. If you can plant a perennial for every 5-10 Stipas all should be happy. If you want to plant an oak woodland with Stipas, plant them in the open areas between the evergreen trees, and under the deciduous oaks. Weeds are a problem in these type plantings so keep an eye on them. Weed removal is a constant, as the alien plants may seed in every year and compete with the bunch grasses and wildflowers. The alien species of filaree are especially aggressive in the central area of California. Be vigilant. These Stipas only seem to be able to keep up with the alien species and survive in the wild in undisturbed areas and/or shallow soils and/or soils with high levels of boron and/or serpentinite soils. Synonym: Achnatherum coronatum.