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Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei
Achnatherum nelsonii (Scribn.) Barkworth ssp. dorei (Barkworth & Maze) Barkworth
Dore's Needlegrass, Columbia Needlegrass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Achnatherum nelsonii var. dorei, Stipa columbiana, Stipa minor, Stipa nelsonii ssp. dorei, Stipa nelsonii var. dorei, Stipa occidentalis var. minor
USDA Symbol: ACNED
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
The culms of this cool-season, perennial bunchgrass rise 1-5 ft., slightly taller than the leaves. The seedhead is narrow, dense and purplish. The spikelets bear a distinctive awn extending far beyond the grain.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , OR , TX , WA , WYCanada: BC
Native Distribution: Black Hills to the Yukon, s. to w. TX & CA
Native Habitat: Dry plains, meadows & open woods at medium to high elevations
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Columbia needlegrass is drought tolerant and useful for revegetating rangelands at higher elevations.
Propagation
Description: Sow seed.Seed Treatment: No treatment necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-31Research By: TWC Staff