Plant Guide 

NODDING 

NEEDLEGRASS

Nasella cernua (Stebbins & 

R.M. Love) Barkworth

Plant Symbol = NACE

Contributed by: USDA NRCS California State Office 

and Lockeford Plant Materials Center, California 

Alternate Names 

Stipa cernua, nodding stipa 

Uses 

Nodding needlegrass is used for restoration, critical 

area planting, cover crop, and wildlife habitat. It is 

probably one of the best grasses available for use in 

harsh conditions, such as subsoils, low fertility soils, 

hot ant dry meadows, roadcuts, and roadsides. It also 

provides good early forage for grazing animals. 

Status 

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State 

Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s 

current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, 

state noxious status, and wetland indicator values). 

Description 

Grass Family (Poacae). Nodding needlegrass is a 

native, long-lived, cool season tufted perennial 

bunchgrass. It is very similar to Nassella pulchra 

(purple needlegrass), but is generally smaller, with 

finer leaf blades, and the terminal segment of the awn 

flexuous. It also produces more flower spikes. The 

basal leaf blades are numerous, narrow, and glaucus. 

Distribution 

From Hitchcock (1950) 

@ plants.usda.gov 

Nodding needlegrass is found is the southwestern 

United States in lower elevations with a coastal 

influence. For current distribution, please consult the 

Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS 

Web site. 

Adaptation 

In California, this grass is especially adapted to 

sandy, well-drained, loamy soils, but will tolerate 

rocky soil. It is native to chaparral and dry slopes in 

lower elevations. It thrives in full sun, and also 

grows in partial shade. It will tolerate heat and wind. 

Establishment 

Nodding needlegrass does well in disturbed sites and 

is valuable for erosion control, because of its strong 

root system. However, it does not tolerate 

disturbance after planting. It will go dormant after 

flowering without additional water (facultatively 

dormant), and does best with no summer water after 

the first year in the ground. Small amounts of routine 

watering may keep it green all year, but may also kill 

it. It is very drought tolerant, and intolerant of 

flooding. In dense stands, it can completely inhibit 

certain weeds, such as yellow starthistle. Abundant 

seed production is usually what helps maintain 

natural stands in non-grazed or lightly grazed areas. 

Plants need some protection from grazing during 

flowering to ensure seed formation and food storage 

in the crown. Once established, it is generally fire 

tolerant, but not fire resistant. The season of a burn is 

the most important factor in determining the severity 

of the effects on the plants. It will re-sprout after 

spring or fall burns, but summer burns can be 

damaging. Smaller plants are often less damaged by 

fire than larger plants because they burn less 

intensely and don’t smolder for long periods of time. 

Management

Nodding needlegrass will withstand mowing, 

especially after seed set and some traffic. It also 
requires some protection from grazing during the 

flowering period (late May-April). 

Seeds and Plant Production 

Abundant seed matures in mid to late spring, with 

collection possible for 2 - 3 weeks. There are 

between 118,000 and 250,000 seeds/lb., and if 

planted at a rate of 1 lb./acre, there will be 

approximately 4.3 seeds/square feet. Sharp points on 

the seeds are augured into the soil by the twisting 

action of the awns. Also, seed can be harvested using 

a flow-vac or combine. 

Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and 

area of origin) 

‘LK415f’ Germplasm: Collected from San Luis 

Obispo County, California; Trusedale and Shells 

Roads. Township 27S and Range 15E Section 10. 

Elevation is approximately 1200 feet. Mean annual 

precipitation is 12-20 inches. Mean annual 

temperature is 60 degrees F. 

References 

Clunet.edu. 2005. Wildflowers of California: A 

photographic gallery. Accessed: 12 Sep 2005. 

http://ww1.clunet.edu/wf/chap/common/bjc1404.htm. 

USDA NRCS. Notice of release of foothill 

needlegrass for major land resource area 15f 

selected class of natural germplasm LK415f 

germplasm. Lockeford, CA. 

Wrysinski, Jeanette. 2000. Know Your Natives: A 

Pictorial Guide to California Native Grasses. Yolo 

County Resource Conservation District, Woodland, 

California. 

Prepared By: 

Dave Dyer, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, 

Lockeford, and Reina O’Beck, California State 

Office, Davis, California. 

Species Coordinator: 

Dave Dyer, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, 

Lockeford, California. 

Edited: 12Sep2005 ro; 23sep05 jsp 

For more information about this and other plants, please contact 

your local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the 

PLANTS Web site<http://plants.usda.gov> or the Plant Materials 

Program Web site <http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov> 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits 

discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of 

race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, 

political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. 

(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and 

TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office 

of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 

(202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider and employer.