Eriocoma occidentalis

Eriocoma occidentalis is a species of grass known by the common name western needlegrass. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California, Colorado, and Arizona and in northeastern Mexico (Chihuahua),[1] where it grows in many types of habitat.

Eriocoma occidentalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Pooideae
Genus: Eriocoma
Species:
E. occidentalis
Binomial name
Eriocoma occidentalis
(Thurb. ex S.Watson) Romasch. (2019)[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Achnatherum occidentale (Thurb. ex S.Watson) Barkworth (1993)
  • Stipa occidentalis Thurb. ex S.Watson (1871)
  • Stipa occidentalis var. montana Merr. & Burtt Davy (1902), not validly publ.
  • Stipa stricta var. sparsiflora Vasey (1892)

This is a tufting perennial bunchgrass forming tight clumps of erect stems up to about 120 centimetres (47 in) in maximum height, but sometimes much shorter. The hairlike leaves are less than a millimeter wide and may have rolled edges. The inflorescence is up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long, with each hairy spikelet bearing an awn up to 4 or 5 centimeters long. The awn is kinked twice.[2]

Subspecies

Three subspecies are accepted:[1]

  • Eriocoma occidentalis subsp. californica (Merr. & Burtt Davy) Romasch. โ€“ Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, and Alberta
  • Eriocoma occidentalis subsp. occidentalis โ€“ California
  • Eriocoma occidentalis subsp. pubescens (Vasey) Romasch. โ€“ British Columbia and Alberta to California, Arizona, Colorado, and northeastern Mexico (Chihuahua)

References

  1. Eriocoma occidentalis (Thurb. ex S.Watson) Romasch. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2 July 2023
  2. "Achnatherum occidentale". Grass Manual Treatment. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2008.
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