California cottontop
Digitaria californica
Poaceae
Description
This bunchgrass has hard, stiffly erect, round stems growing from a knotty, swollen, hairy base. Leaves are 3 to 5 inches long, flat, and do not clasp the stem firmly. The panicle is 2 to 5 inches long with white to purplish hairs that are longer than the spikelets. This gives the seed head a cottony appearance.
California cottontop is a perennial, warm-season, native - 12 to 48 inches tall.
Good grazing for livestock. Fair grazing for wildlife.
Habitat
Grows in open, well drained areas on a wide variety of soils. It is palatable throughout the year and is frequently overgrazed, but responds well to grazing deferment.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Stem Texture: Hairless/Smooth
Growth Habit: Bunch grass, Grasses
Season: Warm
Distribution
: 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 09 - High Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Know Your Grasses (B-182)
Collection: Grasses
