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- Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium, Usage Rights: Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC)


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Achnatherum lettermanii - Letterman's needlegrass

Synonyms: Stipa lettermanii
Plant Form: Grass

Family: Poaceae


   
 
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Spikelets
Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium, Usage Rights: Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC)
  Grass Description -   Glossary of Grass Terminology


Origin: Native    Season: Warm
Habitat Description: Meadows and on dry slopes, from chaparral to subalpine habitats.
Plant Communities:Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest
Elevation: 5200 - 8500 feet

Similar Species: Hesperostipa comata
General Description

Desc: Densely tufted, slender, bunchgrass which often forms large clumps. It begins growth early and remains green throughout a relatively long season.
Identification Notes: Awns less than 1 inch; blades involute (rolled); plants tufted.
Grass Type: Perennial bunchgrass  Rhizomes: N  Stolons: N
Large Dense Clump (> 2 feet): N  Bushy (highly branched): N
Height with Seedheads: 12 to 24 inches
Seedhead Structure: Branched - contracted  Seedhead Droops: N
Flowering Period: Aug - Oct
Flower Characteristics

Number of Flowers per Spikelet: One-flowered  Spikelets One-sided: N
Awns: 1/4 inch to 1 inch   Three Awns: N  Awns Bent: Y
Flower and Seedhead Notes: Seedheads are 4 to 7 inches long, pale green and loosely flowered. Awns are twice-bent and rough to the touch.
Vegetative Charcteristics

Blade Hairy: Y    Blade with White Margins: N    Blade Cross section: Involute
Blade Notes: Blades are 2 to 8 inches long with some short, fine straight erect hairs.
Sheath Hairy: N    Tuft of Hairs at top of Sheath or Collar: Y    Ligules: Membranous and hairy
Auricles (Ear-like lobes at collar area: N

Forage Value: Generally most palatable early in the season before the foliage becomes coarse and wiry. It is rated fair in energy value and poor in protein content.


  Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
Version 8.0  
http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailGrass.php  
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson  
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