This beautiful native grass is found in oak woodlands, open areas, and chaparral at lower elevations in California and Baja California. Unfortunately, many species of grasses introduced from Europe and the Mediterranean have invaded habitats suited to our native grasses, competing with and excluding the native species. Grass seed from Europe got introduced early on with grains and fodder that was imported for livestock and spread across the California grasslands. Landscapers also have planted exotic grasses in yards and around buildings and these invade the canyons and surrounding wildlands, threatening our native plants.