San Bernardino Bluegrass

Description

Poa atropurpurea is a rare species of grass known by the common name San Bernardino bluegrass. It is endemic to southern California, where it is known from two regions, the San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear and the Laguna Mountains of San Diego County.It grows in wet mountain meadows. It is a rhizomatous perennial grass growing in small, loose tufts up to about half a meter tall. The firm, narrow leaves often have rolled or folded edges. It is a dioecious plant, with male and female individuals bearing different flower types. The inflorescence is somewhat lance-shaped, with branches appressed, spreading upwards along the stem axis. Male and female inflorescences look similar. They may hold up to 70 spikelets each, which are purplish in color.