Parish's needlegrass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stipa parishii |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Stipa
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| Species: |
parishii
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| Synonyms | |
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Stipa parishii var. parishii TJM2 |
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Stipa parishii, also known as Parish's needlegrass, is a type of grass. It was once called Achnatherum parishii. In 2012, experts decided to classify it as Stipa parishii var. parishii.
Contents
Where Parish's Needlegrass Grows
This special bunchgrass grows naturally in western North America. You can find it from southern California and Baja California in Mexico. It also grows through Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
Habitats and Elevation
Parish's needlegrass likes many different kinds of places. It especially likes chaparral and other dry areas. You can find it growing at elevations from about 900 to 2,700 meters (3,000 to 9,000 feet) high. Some places where it lives include the Peninsular Ranges and the Mojave Desert. It also grows in the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Great Basin Desert.
What Parish's Needlegrass Looks Like
Stipa parishii is a perennial bunchgrass. This means it lives for more than two years and grows in tight clumps. Its stems stand straight up and can reach about 80 centimeters (31 inches) tall.
Flowers and Seeds
The plant's flower cluster, called an inflorescence, can be up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. It is packed with small, hairy flower parts called spikelets. Each spikelet has a long, bristle-like part called an awn. This awn can be up to 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) long. A cool fact about its awn is that it has only one bend. Many other types of Stipa grasses have awns with two bends.
See also
In Spanish: Stipa parishii para niños
