Tanglehead
Heteropogon contortus
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina, Baleares, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Ghana, Guatemala, Gulf of Guinea Is., Guyana, Hainan, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Lebanon-Syria, Leeward Is., Lesotho, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mali, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., Niger, Nigeria, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Rodrigues, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sicilia, Sierra Leone, Society Is
Bernard DUPONT (www.flickr.com) from FRANCE
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Heteropogon
- Species:
- Heteropogon contortus
- USDA Symbol:
- HECO10
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- brown, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan, bronze
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the base after fire; fire maintains open grassland habitat and reduces woody competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in grasslands and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily with warm temperatures; light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds have a dormancy period of 6-9 months. If seeds must be planted before the 6 month dormancy period has passed, it is possible to break the dormancy with use of 1% gibberellic acid. If seeds are stored at greater than 68°F, their dormancy period is increased to around 12 months.
Establishment: Tanglehead is a highly adaptable grass, occurring natively in warm regions of both hemispheres. It thrives in low-nutrient areas and it is drought tolerant. It is an important grass for erosion control, although it can also be considered a weed because of its high adaptability.
Source: npn.rngr.net