Stipa tenuissima

Photo: Ron Vanderhoff

Common names: Mexican feathergrass

Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feathergrass) is a perennial grass (family Poaceae) that can grow to be 2 feet tall and is found in the central and south coast ranges of California. It is native to Mexico, Texas, Argentina and Chile. It favors grasslands and woodlands. It spreads only by seeds which are dispersed by livestock, humans, wind and water. Seeds adhere to clothing and fur.

Cal-IPC Rating: Watch

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.

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 tenuissima Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • 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 tenuissima_inflorescences_copyright2015_NealKramer
    Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feathergrass) inflorescences. Photo: &#169 2015 Neal Kramer
    Stipa tenuissima_growth habit_copyright2015_NealKramer
    Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feathergrass) growth habit. Photo: &#169 2015 Neal Kramer