SafePlants

California Oatgrass (Danthonia californica)

California oatgrass, scientifically known as Danthonia californica, is a perennial bunchgrass native to western regions of North and South America. It's known for its subtle appeal and ability to form dense, leafy tufts.

Common Names

• California Oatgrass
• California Wild Oat Grass
• California Danthonia
• California Oat-grass

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Danthonia californica
• Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
• Synonyms: Danthonia americana
• Botanical Varieties: americana, californica, palousensis, and piperi
• Alternative Scientific Name: California danthonia

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to western coastal regions of North America (California to Canada) and the west coast of South America.
• Found throughout the coast ranges of northern California.
• Can be found in mountains and coast ranges.
• Grows in open and partly shaded areas.
• Rare visitor to the Northeast.
• Grows on both dry and moist sites with good to poorly drained soils.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• A cool-season (C3) perennial bunchgrass with intermediate texture.
• Slow-establishing yet long-lived.
• Forms dense tufts of fuzzy, dull-green leaves.
• Low-growing, reaching up to 1 1/2 ft tall.
• Has only a few nodding flower spikes, 1-1.5 ft in flower.
• Clumping, nearly evergreen.
• Tuft of short flattened green leaves 4 to 10.
• Fibrous roots.

Ecological Role

• Most abundant species in some coastal prairies.
• Useful nurse crop for slower establishing species.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Well utilized by livestock and certain wildlife as forage prior to maturity (rated as good forage).

Reproduction

• Unique reproduction through two different types of seeds: cleistogamous and chasmogamic seeds.

Resources and Further Information

• USDA Plants Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=daca3
• RHS: Information available on Danthonia californica from the Royal Horticultural Society.