Achnatherum thurberianum

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Cladus: Commelinids
Ordo: Poales

Familia: Poaceae
Subfamilia: Pooideae
Tribus: Stipeae
Genus: Achnatherum
Species: Achnatherum thurberianum
Name

Achnatherum thurberianum (Piper) Barkworth, Phytologia 74: 14. 1993.
Synonyms

Basionym
Stipa thurberiana Piper, Circ. Div. Agrostol. U.S.D.A. 27: 10. 1900, nom. nov.
Stipa occidentalis Thurb. in C.Wilkes, U.S. Expl. Exped., Phan. 17(2): 483. 1874, nom. illeg.

References

Govaerts, R. et al. 2019. Achnatherum thurberianum in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2019 Aug 30. Reference page.

Achnatherum thurberianum is a species of grass known by the common name Thurber's needlegrass. It is native to the western United States, where it occurs from Washington to California and east to Montana and Wyoming.[1]

This is a tufted perennial grass with erect stems reaching about 75 centimeters in maximum height. The tuft of stems may be circular in shape as the stems in the center die first.[1] The inflorescence is a narrow panicle up to 15 centimeters long by 2.5 wide. The spikelet has a sharp tip and a long, hairy awn which may exceed 5[2][3] to 10[4] centimeters in length.

This is a common grass in many plant communities in the Pacific Northwest and Great Basin in the US. It is a dominant species in many areas, and may grow alongside other common grasses such as bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), and needle-and-thread grass (Hesperostipa comata). It can be found in sagebrush and pinyon-juniper woodland. It is a climax species, occurring in undisturbed plant communities.[1]

This grass provides food for livestock and wildlife. It is forage for cattle, sheep, and wild horses. Black-tailed jackrabbits often consume it. Juvenile pronghorn eat the grass when it is young. Many grazing animals avoid the grass when it matures, because the spikelets are sharp and hard. At this point the seeds are consumed by birds and small mammals. Some animals, such as the Sage Grouse, use the grass for cover.[1]
References

Archer, Amy J. 2000. Achnatherum thurberianum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
Achnatherum thurberianum. Archived June 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Grass Manual Treatment.
Achnatherum thurberianum. Jepson Manual Treatment.
Achnatherum thurberianum. The Nature Conservancy.