Single Record

Participant Info

Species
Oryzopsis asperifolia [Urachne asperifolia] [Oryzopsis aspera] etc.
Family
Poaceae
CommonName
roughleaf ricegrass, winter grass
Presence
yes
Status
native
EarliestDate
1896
LatestDate
2025
Ecosystem
montane
Geobotanical
SSanjuans, NCristos
Counties
Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Saguache, Archuleta
Passes
La Veta, Wolf Creek
WildlifePreserves
Other Localities
La Botica
Comments
In the Watershed, roughleaf ricegrass, perennial and cool-season, has been vouchered somewhat often, but almost always from the South San Juan Mountains. The two other locations are near Creston and La Veta pass in the North Cristos. The typical habitat of Oryzopsis asperifolia is understory of mixed conifer woods in the montane. Identification is made easy by the plant's prostrate nature, with very reduced culm blades, and broad basal leaves twisted upside-down (although note that the blades of other grass may twist upon drying). The USA distribution is central and southern Rockies; Idaho and Wyoming near the Canadian border; and upper mid-West, Great Lakes, and New England along the Canadian border. The species follows the Rio Grande drainage through the top third of New Mexico but no farther.