Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
Also known as: Tharp's Dropseed
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Sporobolus
- Species:
- Sporobolus airoides
- USDA Symbol:
- SPAI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
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
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal crown after fire; fire can reduce thatch and stimulate growth.
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 in warm soil.
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
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- Bamert Seed (seeds)