Description, Geographic Range, & Habitat

Stipa pulchra:

• Is a long-lived perennial bunch grass with long, conspicuous awns and a distinct nodding habit (Yolo RCD: 76, Smither-Kopperl 2025).

• Was named for the purple color of the young seeds (CNPS Calscape 2025).

• Is California’s most widespread native grass, occurring from the Oregon border to Baja California, including the Central Valley, Sierra Nevada foothills, and Channel Islands (Smither-Kopperl 2025, Jepson eFlora, Calflora Database, CNPS Calscape 2025).

• Thrives in diverse ecosystems: grasslands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands, mixed evergreen forest, and coastal prairies.  

• Thrives in diverse soils: deep clay, disturbed areas, cut slopes, thin soils, and serpentine (Amme 2003).

• Rarely forms dense stands (Forero et al. 2016).

Stipa pulchra, Roadside in Atascadero CA. D. Jeffery

California's State Grass: History & Significance of Official Designation

How: Stipa pulchra was officially designated as the California State Grass by Senate Bill 1226 in 2004. The bill was introduced by Senator Michael Machado, D-Linden (Rawlings 2006).

The California-Pacific Section of the Society for Range Management led a years-long campaign to have Stipa pulchra recognized as California’s official state grass (SRM).

Why: Stipa pulchra is a symbol of the heritage, splendor, and natural diversity found in the early days of California (Senate Bill NO. 1226).

Fun Fact: CNGA has proudly used Stipa pulchra in its logo as a symbol of California’s native grasslands since 2006 (Grasslands 2006:Vol 16, No 1).

Taxonomy: A Grass By Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet

Originally Named Stipa pulchra, the species was first described in the botanical literature as Stipa pulchra in 1915 (American Journal of Botany by A. S. Hitchcock,(https://www.ipni.org/n/423691-1).

Reassigned to Nassella, in 1990 the species was reclassified and published under the genus Nassella, becoming Nassella pulchra (https://www.ipni.org/n/948422-1).

Returned to the genus Stipa by the time of the Jepson Manual, Second Edition 2012 (https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn?34420&expand=1).

Description, Geographic Range, & Habitat

Stipa pulchra:

• Is a long-lived perennial bunch grass with long, conspicuous awns and a distinct nodding habit (Yolo RCD: 76, Smither-Kopperl 2025).

• Was named for the purple color of the young seeds (CNPS Calscape 2025).

• Is California’s most widespread native grass, occurring from the Oregon border to Baja California, including the Central Valley, Sierra Nevada foothills, and Channel Islands (Smither-Kopperl 2025, Jepson eFlora, Calflora Database, CNPS Calscape 2025).

• Thrives in diverse ecosystems: grasslands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands, mixed evergreen forest, and coastal prairies.  

• Thrives in diverse soils: deep clay, disturbed areas, cut slopes, thin soils, and serpentine (Amme 2003).

• Rarely forms dense stands (Forero et al. 2016).

Growth, Longevity, & Adaptations

• Stature: Plants typically stand 2–3 feet tall.

• Deep Roots: Roots reach 5–16 feet deep (1.5 – 4.9 meters) in suitable soils; the greatest concentration of roots is 6 – 12 inches deep (15-30 cm), often with mycorrhizal associations (Hull & Muller 1977, State of California Capitol Museum, Smither-Kopperl 2025).

• Long Lived: Stipa pulchra is one of the most long-lived grasses with some plants surviving 100 to 150 years or more years (Senate Bill NO. 1226, Hamilton et al. 2002, SRM). Some plants at Hastings Natural History Reservation in Carmel Valley may be from 100-200 years old (Rawling 2006).

• Reproduction Strategy: Can reproduce by wind-pollinated seed or asexually through tillering and bunch fragmentation; can self-pollinate (Hull & Muller 1977, Smither-Kopperl 2025). 

• Stipa pulchra Can Do the Twist! The sharp pointed seeds self-bury into the soil with the help of the long awns that twist and straighten in response to daily moisture (Bartolome 1981).​

• Adapted to Disturbance: Although it may be California’s most common native grass, this is not because it dominated pre-European California grassland, but because it responds well to disturbances that reduce competition from introduced annuals (Bartolome & Gemmill 1981).
• Greens Up Early: Regrowth begins before fall rains after summer dormancy, likely triggered by shortening day lengths (Smither-Kopperl 2025, CNPS Fremontia 1981). Then it grows slowly during early winter and speeds up as the days warm, therefore lagging behind annual species (Hull & Muller 1977).

Link to YouTube Video showing late season green tufts of Stipa pulchra amid the dried culms and thatch of surrounding non-native annuals (Mundell, J. 2018. Stipa Pulchra). 

Ecological & Cultural Significance

• Stipa pulchra seed is one of several species gathered by California Native Americans as an important food source (Senate Bill NO. 1226, Anderson 2013). Dried grass seeds can be stored for months before they are toasted and ground for eating (Timbrook 2007).

• Stipa pulchra provides food for over 330 wildlife species (State of California Capitol Museum, Friends of Edgewood Park).

• Stipa pulchra produces abundant seeds which attract birds and other wildlife (CNPS Calscape 2025).

• Provides food for a variety of wildlife including deer and elk; Stipa pulchra continues to be an important and high-quality, early season forage for cattle (State of California 2004, SRM, Sampson et al. 1951, Yolo RCD:76).

• Stipa pulchra is one of several bunch grass species that provides cover for ground nesting birds (Kelsey 2010, CNGA 2025).

Restoration & Management Applications

• Stipa pulchra is a good choice for erosion control because of its deep root system, its tolerance of drought and poor soil conditions, and its ability to establish on disturbed sites (Amme 2003, CNPS Calscape 2025).

• Stipa pulchra has the potential to quickly colonize disturbed sites because its seeds germinate readily, seedlings grow vigorously, and established seedlings can produce seeds in as little as two years (Bartolome 1981).  

• However, young seedlings require weed control as they grow at a much slower rate than surrounding annual grasses and other weeds (Smither-Kopperl 2025).

Landscaping & Gardening 

• Stipa pulchra  is recommended for low-water landscaping and native meadows. It tolerates full sun to partial shade, various soil types (including clay and serpentine), and is easy to grow once established (CNPS Calscape 2025).

• For best results, plant in fall to take advantage of winter rains. Once established, Stipa pulchra is drought-tolerant and requires no summer irrigation.

• Pets may be injured by its long awns, mowing before seed maturation can mitigate this risk (CNPS Calscape 2025).

Seasonal Tips

Fall Tip (Planting Season)

Fall is the ideal time to plant Stipa pulchra. Cooler weather and seasonal rains help roots establish before summer drought. Space seedlings 1–2 feet apart to give bunches room to grow.

Winter Tip (Establishment)

Young plants need little care once the rains arrive. Watch for weeds around seedlings and hand-pull to reduce competition. Deep roots will continue to develop through the season.

Spring Tip (Growth & Companion Plants)

Enjoy the graceful seed heads of Stipa pulchra alongside blooming wildflowers. This bunchgrass thrives in mixes with native annuals and perennials, creating habitat for pollinators.

Summer Tip (Drought Tolerance)

Once established, Stipa pulchra survives summer dry spells without irrigation. Avoid overwatering, which can weaken plants and promote weeds. The golden summer look is a natural part of its cycle.

D. Jeffery August 2025