familyPoaceae
subfamilyPoaceae subfam. Pooideae
genusElymus
speciesElymus elymoides
subspeciesElymus elymoides subsp. californicus
Elymus elymoides subsp. californicus
Common names: California squirreltail
Endemic
Synonyms: Sitanion hystrix var. californicum Sitanion californicum
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 24. Treatment on page 319.
Culms 8-40 cm, erect or decumbent. Blades usually glabrous abaxially, sometimes puberulent. Spikes 3-10 cm, often partly included, usually with 2 spikelets per node. Spikelets with (1)2-3 fertile florets, lowest 1-2 florets sterile and glumelike. Glume awns 15-40(70) mm, entire; lemma awns 25-70 mm, usually exceeding those of the glumes; paleas often with the veins extended as 1-2 mm bristles.
Discussion
Elymus elymoides subsp. californicus grows in mid-montane to arctic-alpine habitats in western North America, at elevations of 1500-4200 m. Plants transitional to subsp. elymoides occur where the two are sympatric.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.