Big Sacaton
Sporobolus wrightii
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Sporobolus
- Species:
- Sporobolus wrightii
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 8-12 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov, dec
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow
Native Range
United States: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Bucculatrix sporobolella, Olivia's buckmoth (Hemileuca oliviae)
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:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Inoculating soil with mycorrhizal fungi, especially when sites are highly degraded and unlikely to have extant mycorrhizal populations
Establishment: This species was previously classified as a variety of alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides). It is found from 2,000-5,000 feet along river banks and dry, sandy, open sites. Its range has significantly declined over the past century--it now occurs in less than 5% of its original range.
Source: npn.rngr.net