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serpentine reedgrass

Scientific Name: Calamagrostis ophitidis

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Calamagrostis ophitidis

Calamagrostis ophitidis, commonly known as serpentine reedgrass, is a species of bunch grass belonging to the Poaceae family.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Calamagrostis ophitidis (J.T. Howell) Nygren
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
  • Synonyms: Calamagrostis ophitidus (misspelling)
  • Common Names: Serpentine Reedgrass, Serpentine reed grass

Distribution and Habitat

  • Calamagrostis ophitidis is endemic to California.
  • It is often found growing in serpentine soils.
  • Specific locations include Sonoma, Mendocino, Napa, and Lake counties, in addition to areas outside Marin County.

Ecological Role

  • In some areas, serpentine reedgrass replaces California fescue as the dominant graminoid.
  • It is adapted to toxic serpentine soils, often alongside other rare plants like Tiburon buckwheat and Tamalpais lessingia.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a bunch grass.
  • The plant is perennial.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Serpentine reedgrass is part of serpentine chaparral habitat.
  • Further Information

    • Discover Life provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Calamagrostis ophitidis.
    • CalPhotos includes images of Calamagrostis ophitidis.
    • USDA also provides information.
    • Wiktionary has an entry for reedgrass.