narrow manna grass

This rhizomatous perennial grass produces narrow stems approaching a maximum height of 1.5 meters. The leaves may be flat or rolled along the edges and they have ligules up to a centimeter long. The inflorescence is narrow and compact, bearing spikelets parallel to the stem instead of spreading outward. Each spikelet is one to two centimeters long and contains up to 14 or 15 florets with membranous margins.

It is native to western North America from Alaska to California, where it grows in wet places such as riverbanks.