Alkali sacaton

Sporobolus airoides

Poaceae


Description

Coarse-stemmed bunchgrass that grows in tough clumps with no rhizomes. The long, slender blades are hairy at the throat. The panicle is pyramid shaped and loosely flowered. One-flowered spikelets are on short pedicels. Blades are involute. The plant has a bleached, large, woody base and large roots the size of a wooden pencil lead.

Fair grazing for livestock. Poor grazing for wildlife.

Alkali sacaton is a Perennial, warm-season, introduced - 6 to 24 inches tall.


Habitat

Grows in meadows and valleys and on dry, sandy or gravelly slopes, especially in alkaline and saline soils. A desirable grass to seed in salted-out sites.


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