Nassella pulchra, basionym Stipa pulchra, is a species of grass known by the common name purple needlegrass. It is believed that before European settlement, purple needlegrass was the dominant bunch grass species in the state. California grasslands were probably historically dominated by perennial bunchgrasses such as purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) and bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides) [22,55,204,211,251]. It is native to the U.S. state of California, where it occurs throughout the coastal hills, valleys, and mountain ranges, as well as the Sacramento Valley and parts of the Sierra Nevada foothills, and Baja California. Popular in native grass mixtures and in wildflower mixtures. Purple needlegrass is a medium-large, long-lived bunchgrass well adapted to clay soils. Nassella pulchra can be used to help restore habitats, prevent erosion and maintain levees. Distribution Purple needlegrass occurs on the west side of the Coast Ranges from northern Baja California north to the Oregon border. Purple Needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) Purple needlegrass is a perennial bunchgrass which can live up to 150 years. It is native to California, where it occurs throughout the coastal hills, valleys, and mountain ranges, as well as the Sacramento Valley and parts of the Sierra Nevada foothills, and Baja California. Some grass species in these habitats include red oat grass (Themeda triandra) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) in tropical savannas, and purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) and galleta in temperate areas. It resembles N. manicata, but has longer florets and less strongly developed crowns. It is the most widespread native bunchgrass and its growing range is from the Oregon border into northern Baja California. For Discussion. Also can be p Purple needlegrass can be found in temperate grasslands from the Oregon border into northern Baja California. But the individual grasses are still here, and in recognition of their historical and environ- mental importance, the Cali- fornia legislature in 2004 declared that the most domi- nant native grass, purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra, formerly known as Nassella pulchra), as the official state grass. This grass is normally found on dry slopes at around 5000 feet. Attractive grass with interesting seed panicles. Common Name: Purple Needlegrass Botanical Name(s): Stipa pulchra (Nassella pulchra) Purple NeedlegrassNamed "California State Grass" because of its wide range of adapation in climates and soils. The official State Grass designated in 2004, is Nassella pulchra, or Purple needlegrass, as it is most commonly known. Nassella pulchra is California’s state grass. Scientifically known as Nassella pulchra, purple needlegrass is native to the coastal hills of California, ranging from the Oregon border south to Baja, California. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center focused on protecting and preserving North America's native plants through native plant lists and image galleries, conservation, education, natural landscapes, seed collection - Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) Project, preserving and restoring native communities, spreading awareness on invasive species and gardening to attract wildlife. Common name: Purple Needlegrass. It probably never formed extensive grasslands (Hamilton 1997), flourishing primarily in moderately disturbed areas. Nassella pulchra grows in oak chaparral and grassland communities of the coast ranges and Sierra foothills of California, extending south into Mexico. It cannot be used as a lawn grass because of its clustered nature, but it can be used as decorative grass. 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