Eriocoma occidentalis is a species of grass known by the common name western needlegrass. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California, Colorado, and Arizona and in northeastern Mexico (Chihuahua),[1] where it grows in many types of habitat.
| Eriocoma occidentalis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Eriocoma |
| Species: | E. occidentalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Eriocoma occidentalis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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This is a tufting perennial bunchgrass forming tight clumps of erect stems up to about 120 centimetres (47 in) in maximum height, but sometimes much shorter. The hairlike leaves are less than a millimeter wide and may have rolled edges. The inflorescence is up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long, with each hairy spikelet bearing an awn up to 4 or 5 centimeters long. The awn is kinked twice.[2]
Subspecies
editThree subspecies are accepted:[1]
- Eriocoma occidentalis subsp. californica (Merr. & Burtt Davy) Romasch. – Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, and Alberta
- Eriocoma occidentalis subsp. occidentalis – California
- Eriocoma occidentalis subsp. pubescens (Vasey) Romasch. – British Columbia and Alberta to California, Arizona, Colorado, and northeastern Mexico (Chihuahua)
References
edit- ^ a b c d Eriocoma occidentalis (Thurb. ex S.Watson) Romasch. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2 July 2023
- ^ "Achnatherum occidentale". Grass Manual Treatment. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2008.