Origin:
Native to the west coast of the United States. Commonly used in ornamental settings due to its size and symmetry.
Biology:
A perennial grass found at elevations up to 7000 feet, in either wet or dry locations but favoring moist soils, such as stream edges, edges of meadows, gullies, or open forest areas. Suitable for grazing only with new foliage, and once mature it becomes too coarse to be palatable.
Identification:
The mature plant can be as tall as 5 feet, with a great many stems that are erect to widely spreading, and forming a very symmetrical clump. Stems arise from short, knotty rhizomes. Leaves can grow to 20 inches long, and are narrow and taper to a fine tip. The collar at the base is light tan, and a short, papery ligule is present. The flower head is a very long, thin, whip-like stalk up to 20 inches long, and lined its entire length with small flower spikelets that are tan to grayish. The flower heads form in mid-summer to fall.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
A perennial favoring moist soils. Tilling will disrupt its growth, and it is rarely a problem in cultivated crops.
