Deschampsia danthonioides, commonly known as annual hairgrass, is an annual bunchgrass native to a variety of habitats including moist meadows, grassy pond edges, and open grasslands, as well as montane and chaparral regions across western North America. Its range extends from the Yukon Territory and British Columbia through California and the Western United States, reaching as far south as Baja California, and even into South America in Chile and Argentina. Annual hairgrass typically grows in solitary tufts or loose clumps, achieving a height of 16 to 24 inches. Its inflorescence consists of a narrow to open array of thin branches with small V-shaped spikelets that are less conspicuous than the showy flowers of some other grass species.

This grass is valued for its ability to thrive in a range of moisture conditions, from wet to dry, making it a versatile choice for restoration projects and naturalistic plantings. It can provide a delicate texture to garden compositions and is often used in wildflower meadows where it can naturalize. Annual hairgrass prefers full sun to light shade and tolerates a variety of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it may reseed prolifically under ideal conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0