SafePlants

Achnatherum coronatum - Giant Ricegrass

Achnatherum coronatum, formerly classified as Stipa coronata, is a perennial grass known by several common names.

Common Names:

• Giant Ricegrass
• Crested Needlegrass
• Giant Needlegrass
• Giant Stipa

Considerations for Pets:

• This grass has "needle" in some of its common names (Crested Needlegrass, Giant Needlegrass), and other grass species in the text include "needle-and-thread grass".
• The text mentions "seeds" and seed caching by rodents, indicating the plant produces small, potentially dispersible parts.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature:

• Scientific Name: Achnatherum coronatum (Thurb.) Barkworth
• Synonym: Stipa coronata
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Rank: Species
• Nomenclatural Reference: Phytologia 74(1): 6. 1993 21 Feb 1993
• Synonym variety: Stipa coronata var. coronata

Distribution and Habitat:

• Native to southern California and Baja California.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits:

• Cool-season, perennial grass.
• Greenish in color.
• Forms billowy tufts with upright, graceful leaf blades.
• Grows to an average mature height of 2.5 ft (75 cm).

Ecological Role:

• The text mentions Indian Ricegrass being associated with big sagebrush and seeding/seed-caching desert rodents, suggesting Achnatherum coronatum may play similar roles in its native habitat.

Additional Information:

• If grown in a container, it should be kept relatively dry.
• Examples of bunch grass include rice grass and needle-and-thread grass.

Further Information:

• Discover Life: has a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Achnatherum coronatum.
• USDA Plants Database: Mentions Achnatherum coronatum in the context of California.
• NIISS.org: Has an organism species profile for Achnatherum coronatum.