Nasella is a species of
bunchgrass which is native to many areas of
California. It is charactarized by its large bunches a foot or so tall and wide, with wispy seed heads and leaves which stay green long after the
invasive weeds like
star thistle and
Wild Oats have died. Once these grasses covered most of California, but now much of their habitat is taken up by other introduced plants. In some places, such as
Quail Ridge, there are still pure stands of
Nasella. The plant seems to have a symbiotic
relationship with
oak trees, as it is much more abundant under them than the non-natives.
Unlike the introduced, weedy ruderals, Nasella doesnt cover 100% of the ground where it grows. Instead, it leaves gaps between clumps, where wildflowers and other forbs can grow. These plants are resistant to fire and grazing as well.