Tanglehead
Heteropogon contortus
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, 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, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Ghana, Guam, 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, Northern Mariana Islands, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Rodrigues, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabi
iNaturalist: © victortx (iNaturalist #16072900)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Heteropogon
- Species:
- Heteropogon contortus
- USDA Symbol:
- HECO10
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Tussock-forming grass that can resprout after fire; fire may reduce thatch and promote seedling establishment.
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
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in warm, moist conditions.
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
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Seed Group (seeds)