Pleuropogon hooverianus, commonly known as North Coast semaphoregrass, is a perennial grass endemic to northern California, particularly found in the moist, marshy areas and shady understories of redwood forests in Mendocino, Marin, and Sonoma Counties. It typically reaches heights of 3 to 5 feet. North Coast semaphoregrass is characterized by its unique inflorescence, with widely spaced spikelets that hang sideways, reminiscent of semaphore signals, which makes it easily identifiable. Each spikelet can be up to 1.8 inches long and may contain up to 16 flowers. The flowers are subtle and not particularly showy, but they are interesting for their unusual arrangement.

North Coast semaphoregrass is valued for its rarity and unique appearance, making it a plant of interest for native plant enthusiasts and conservationists. It thrives in moist environments and is often found in wetland restoration projects or as part of a native plant garden. It prefers consistently moist soil and partial to full shade, reflecting its natural habitat under the canopy of redwood trees. While it is not commonly used in general landscape design due to its specific requirements and rarity, it can be a conversation piece in a specialized garden setting. Gardeners should be aware that this plant may require extra care to ensure appropriate shade conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0