Glossary

A type of perennial grass that grows in dense, upright clumps (or “bunches”) and does most of its active growth during the cooler, wetter months, typically from fall through spring. Unlike sod-forming grasses, bunchgrasses do not spread by underground runners, which helps preserve soil structure and reduce erosion.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, native cool-season bunchgrasses such as Purple Needlegrass (Stipa pulchra) and California Brome (Bromus carinatus) begin growing with the first rains and often go dormant in the summer. They support native insects, build soil health, and provide habitat without outcompeting wildflowers.

Bunchgrasses are foundational species in native meadows and grasslands, where their deep roots, open growth form, and seasonal rhythm support insects, birds, and other wildlife.

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