Imperata brevifolia is a species of grass known by the common name California satintail. Distribution It is native to the Southwestern United States from California to Texas. It is also native to northern Mexico, where it grows in arid regions where water is available. Description Imperata brevifolia is a perennial grass growing from a hard rhizome to heights near 1.5 meters. The flat leaves are up to 50 centimeters long and 1.5 wide. The inflorescence is a narrow, cylindrical white plume up 10 to 30 centimeters long. It is filled thickly with silky white hairs and dotted with dark speckles which are the orange-brown anthers and purplish-brown stigmas of the spikelets. External links Jepson Manual Treatment - Imperata brevifolia Imperata brevifolia - Photo gallery Andropogoneae Grasses of the United States Native grasses of California Grasses of Mexico Flora of the Southwestern United States Flora of the California desert regions Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands Natural history of the Mojave Desert Natural history of the Transverse Ranges Flora without expected TNC conservation status