Foxtail Pricklegrass
Sporobolus alopecuroides
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Blondeau, Alexandre; Fourier, Jean Baptiste Joseph; France.; France.; France.; Institut d'Egypte (1798-1801); Jacotin, Pierre; Jollois, Jean Baptiste Prosper; Jomard, Edme-François; Monge, Gaspard; Napoleon; Tresca, Salvadore; Villoteau, Guillaume André
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Sporobolus
- Species:
- Sporobolus alopecuroides
- USDA Symbol:
- CRAL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
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 base after fire; historically part of fire-maintained alkali meadow communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Light may enhance germination. Seeds are small and should not be covered deeply.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI