Big Galleta
Hilaria rigida
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Hilaria
- Species:
- Hilaria rigida
- USDA Symbol:
- PLRI3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the base following fire; common in desert scrub communities with periodic fire.
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:
- adapted to arid desert conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily with warm temperatures and moisture; no pretreatment typically required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked in water to remove any inhibitors and allow full imbibition. Seeds are then placed between sheets of blotter paper in nursery flats and wrapped in plastic bags to prevent desiccation.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected in late spring when inflorescences have matured. The plant is common in sandy places below 4,000 ft elevation in the Mojave and Colorado deserts from southern California to Utah and Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.
Source: npn.rngr.net