Avena barbata (slender wild oat) is a winter annual grass (family Poaceae) that grows in nearly every grassland area of the state. It does well in sandy/poor soils, often on the road verges. It is one of the annual grasses that was introduced as a forage species and has replaced the native perennial grasses. It […]

Atriplex semibaccata (Australian saltbush) is a low-statured, spreading, shrubby perennial (family Chenopodiaceae) that is native to Australia. It is distinguished by its small, grey-green leaves that are white on the underside and red, diamond-shaped fleshy fruits. Australian saltbush was introduced as a forage plant in the 1920’s. Since then, it has escaped cultivation and is […]

Asphodelus fistulosus (onion weed) is an annual/perennial herb (family Liliaceae) found in dry, sandy and rocky places, as well as pastures, roadsides and waste places. Livestock avoid eating it, allowing it to create dense stands that crowd out more desirable forage species in pastures. It is primarily found along coastal regions of Southern California. It […]

Asparagus asparagoides (bridal creeper or African Asparagus fern) is a rhizomatous perennial herb (family Liliaceae) found in riparian woodlands of California’s central and south coast. Asparagus asparagoides colonizes both disturbed areas and undisturbed native habitats, but its current distribution is very limited. Plant shoots can form dense mats that limit light levels and then die […]

Anthoxanthum odoratum (sweet vernal grass) is a short-lived perennial grass (family Poaceae) that grows in hay fields, meadows, roadsides and along ditches. It is native to acidic grasslands of Eurasia and northern Africa. Leaves have a sweet scent, plants flower in late spring and early summer. Inflorescences are often dark in color; floret lemmas have […]