This document summarizes information about Desert Needlegrass (Achnatherum speciosum), a perennial bunchgrass native to southwestern deserts and South America. It grows 1-2 feet tall and wide, with fine gray-green foliage that turns tans and browns in fall/winter. It blooms April-May with many showy flowering stalks and seeds. It is suitable as a drought-tolerant ornamental grass for dry, well-draining areas. It requires full sun, sandy or rocky soil, and very little to no summer water once established. It reseeds well and can be propagated from seed or divisions.

1. * Desert Needlegrass – Achnatherum speciosum
(ak-nath-EER-um spee-see-OH-sum)
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Native to: Southwestern deserts to S. America; grows on dry rocky hills, talus slopes and canyons
in Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland, Chaparral.
Growth characteristics: perennial bunchgrass
mature height: 1-2 ft.
mature width: 1-2 ft.
Cool-season perennial bunchgrass with extremely fine (almost threadlike) foliage in basal clumps.
Foliage turns from gray-green in spring and summer, to rich tans and light browns in fall/winter. In
nature usually grow as individual plants – somewhat like ornamental grasses.
Blooms Apr-May. Many flowering stalks above the foliage. Flowers/seed heads
are very showy with long awns (like a bent, twisted tail). Seeds can lodge in animal’s ears, mouths.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most appropriate as a drought-tolerant ornamental grass. Good for dry banks
and along paths but does not take trampling.
Nice for rock or desert-themed gardens.
somewhat like a miniature Pampas Grass. Seeds are edible.
Looks
Sensible substitute for: Non-native ornamental bunching grasses like Pennisetum
Attracts: Birds eat seeds; also good native Desert Tortoise food.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun
Sandy or rocky well-drained soils; any local pH
Zone 1 or 1-2 (no or very occasional summer water)
none
Keep area weeded during establishment. Gently rake out old leaves in winter; cut
back every 3 years to maintain vigor. Reseeds well with adequate winter rains.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: easy in pots or directly in prepared beds
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 10, 13, 16
by cuttings: divisions
2/6/11
© Project SOUND
* not native to coastal S. California, but does well in local gardens