Stipa miliacea var. miliacea

Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Piptatherum miliaceum; Agrostis miliacea L., Oryzopsis miliacea

Common names: smilo grass; bamboo grass; milo; ricegrass; rice millet; millet mountain-rice; San Diego grass

Stipa miliacea var. miliacea (smilograss) is a tufted perennial grass (family Poaceae) that thrives in dry or moist sites in disturbed areas, along roadsides and ditches. It can be found scattered along California’s coast and central valley and appears to be increasing in riparian areas and canyons, especially in southern California.

Cal-IPC Rating: Limited?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

No Weed RIC Management Notes are available for this species. Check for information on other species in the genus on the Weed RIC site.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Stipa miliacea var. miliacea Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea_inflorescence (full flower)_KeirMorse
    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea (smilo grass) inflorescence (full flower). Photo: Keir Morse
    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea_leaf blade and sheath_KeirMorse
    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea (smilo grass) leaf blade and sheath. Photo: Keir Morse
    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea_spikelets_KeirMorse
    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea (smilo grass) spikelets. Photo: Keir Morse
    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea_seeds_ZoyaAkulova
    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea (smilo grass) seeds. Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea_growth habit_ZoyaAkulova
    Stipa miliacea var. miliacea (smilo grass) growth habit. Photo: Zoya Akulova