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Nevada needlegrass
Scientific Name: Achnatherum nevadense
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Achnatherum nevadense (Nevada Needlegrass)
Achnatherum nevadense, commonly known as Nevada needlegrass, is a perennial graminoid belonging to the genus Achnatherum.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Achnatherum nevadense (B.L. Johnson) Barkworth
- Synonym: Stipa nevadensis B. L. Johnson
- Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
Nevada needlegrass is found in the western United States, including:
- California
- Nevada
- Utah
- Oregon
- Colorado
- Arizona
- Idaho
- Montana
- Washington
- Sierra Nevada Highlands
It is considered an important plant in semiarid locations, particularly in the northern Intermountain West and is endemic to the central and southern Sierra Nevada highlands, California.
Ecological Role
Desert needlegrass is palatable, suggesting it serves as a food source for grazing animals in rangeland environments. It can also be used for soil stabilization in certain regions.
Morphological Characteristics
- Perennial grass
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Emergence of Sierra Nevada needlegrass increases with exposure to sagebrush smoke and aqueous slurries of artificially burned soil.
Further Information
For more information about Achnatherum nevadense, consult the following resources:
- Discover Life: Discover Life
- iNaturalist: iNaturalist
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Dave's Garden