Needle And Thread
Hesperostipa comata
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Patrick Alexander (www.flickr.com) from Las Cruces, NM
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Hesperostipa
- Species:
- Hesperostipa comata
- USDA Symbol:
- HECO26
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan, golden
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal buds following fire. Historically maintained by periodic prairie fires.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in prairies and open plains
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Germination occurs at 27 C (80.6 F) or pretreated with 90 days cool/moist (38F) stratification in order to break dormancy.
Establishment: H. comata is found from the Yukon east and south to Indiana and south and west through the Rocky mountain and Intermountain States to Texas, New Mexico, and California. Also, most of the United States (excluding the Southeastern quadrant) and all of Canada.
Source: npn.rngr.net