Calamagrostis foliosa

Calamagrostis foliosa is a species in the Poaceae (Grass) family known by the common name Leafy Reedgrass. It is somewhat rare and endemic to northern California, from Mendocino County northward, where it grows in the forests and scrub on the coastline below 3,500 ft. Due to its limited distribution it is included on CNPS list 4.2. This perennial bunchgrass produces a tuft of stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall. The leaves are mostly located about the base of the stems. The flower cluster is a dense, narrow sheaf of spikelets up to 12 centimeters long. The fruit of each spikelet is tipped with a bent awn. Other species in this genus may look very similar, but they generally occur in distinct habitats. For example, the more common species C. canadensis is found in the Sierras. Despite its rarity in the wild, it is available from nurseries and is a useful ornamental grass, especially for north coast gardens.