San Diego needlegrass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Achnatherum diegoense |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Achnatherum
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| Species: |
diegoense
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| Synonyms | |
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Stipa diegoensis |
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Achnatherum diegoense is a type of grass that has a cool common name: San Diego needlegrass. It grows naturally in southern California, especially in San Diego and Ventura Counties, and on the Channel Islands. You can also find it in Baja California, which is in Mexico.
Contents
What is San Diego Needlegrass?
San Diego needlegrass is a special kind of plant. It's a "bunching perennial grass." This means it grows in clumps, like a small bush, and it lives for more than two years. It comes back year after year!
Where Does San Diego Needlegrass Grow?
This grass loves to live in certain places. You can find it in areas called chaparral and coastal sage scrub. These are types of natural areas with specific plants that can handle dry weather. It usually grows in places that are not very high up, below 350 feet (about 107 meters) above sea level. It especially likes to grow near streams or other water sources.
What Does San Diego Needlegrass Look Like?
San Diego needlegrass can grow quite tall! It usually reaches heights between 110 and 140 centimeters. That's taller than many kids aged 12-15!
The Flowers and Seeds
The part of the grass that holds the flowers and seeds is called the inflorescence. For San Diego needlegrass, this part can be up to about 25 centimeters long.
Each tiny flower part, called a spikelet, is about one centimeter long. But it has a very long, thin part sticking out called an awn. This awn can be up to 5 centimeters long! It's also special because it has two distinct kinks, or bends, in it. This helps the seeds get stuck in the ground so they can grow.
