Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
Also known as: Tharp's Dropseed
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Jim Morefield (www.flickr.com) from Nevada, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Sporobolus
- Species:
- Sporobolus airoides
- USDA Symbol:
- SPAI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Bucculatrix sporobolella, Olivia's buckmoth (Hemileuca oliviae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from basal crown following fire. Tolerates periodic burning typical of prairie and desert grassland ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in saline or alkaline flats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Germination occurs at 35D/20N C alternating temperature cycle. No other pre-treatment specified in Protocol 2.
Establishment: Sporobolus airoides, also known as Drop seed or Alkali sacaton, is found from South Dakota west to California and Washington and south to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. In Texas, it is found on dry sandy or gravelly slopes and along saline or alkaline flats. It is also found in Nebraska, Missouri, South Dakota and Texas, west to eastern Washington and southern California and in northern Mexico as far south as San Luis Potosi.
Source: npn.rngr.net