Purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) was designated the official state grass of California in 2004. A widespread, native perennial bunchgrass that can live for 150 years, purple needlegrass ranges from the Oregon border into northern Baja California.

Tolerant of summer drought and heat once established, the seeds of purple needlegrass were one of several grass species used by California Native Americans as a food source. Today purple needlegrass is used for habitat restoration, erosion and levee control (and continues to provide forage for California's cattle and wildlife).

Prior to the import of Mediterranean annual grasses (which now dominate California grasslands), purple needlegrass was the major grassland cover type of California.

Mediterranean annuals now dominate the Coast Mountain Range and the parts of the Central Valley of California with a Mediterranean climate.

One advantage of the native bunchgrasses that once dominated the California Prairie is the longer green feed period. Notice in the photo above the native perennial species (purple needlegrass) remained green longer than the naturalized Mediterranean annual grasses (meaning higher quality forage for animals).

Source:

State Insignia - State Grass: California State Library
Range Types of North America/Grasslands/CA Grasslands

Links:

State Flowers & Plants - 50 States List