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southwestern needlegrass
Scientific Name: Achnatherum eminens
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Southwestern Needlegrass (Achnatherum eminens)
Southwestern Needlegrass, scientifically known as Achnatherum eminens, is a perennial graminoid belonging to the genus Achnatherum.
Considerations for Pets
- This grass has been referred to as "needlegrass," a name that hints at the sharpness of its seed awns.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Achnatherum eminens (Cav.) Barkworth
- Common Name: Southwestern Needlegrass
- Synonym: Stipa eminens Cav.
- Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
- Southwestern Needlegrass is found in the southwestern United States, including Arizona, Idaho, southwestern Colorado, southwestern Montana, northeastern Wyoming, southwestern Texas, and Utah.
Ecological Role
- Several needlegrass species, including Achnatherum eminens, have undergone taxonomic revisions between the genera Achnatherum and Stipa.
- In some regions, needlegrass species are considered weeds that can reduce pasture productivity.
Morphological Characteristics
- This grass forms a tidy fountaining clump with narrow green blades.
- In early summer, it produces silvery cream-colored flowers that resemble downy structures.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Desert needlegrass occasionally hybridizes with Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) in Arizona and southwestern Colorado.
Further Information
- USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
- ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System)