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Alkali Sacaton Grass (Sporobolus airoides)
Grasses Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)

General: Alkali Sacaton Grass (Sporobolus airoides) is a native bunchgrass that grows in alkaline soils. The leaves are narrow, the large inflorescence is open with tiny seeds, and the leaf has a distinct, hairy collar.

Because its habitat is limited, Alkali Sacaton is an uncommon component of vegetation in the Lower Sonoran (Creosote-Bursage Flats) and Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zones. It is, however, common in alkaline meadows, so look for this species in the meadow at Calico Basin in Red Rocks NCA.

Family: Grass (Poaceae).

Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)

Plant Form: Upright, perennial bunchgrass.

Height: To about 4 feet.

Stems: Upright.

Leaves: Sheath margin glabrous to short-hairy. Collar glabrous or with few long hairs. Ligule tiny, fringed. Blade to about 15 inches, narrow.

Flowers: Inflorescence an open panicle; branches spreading.

Seeds:

Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)

Habitat: Moist, alkaline areas.

Elevation: To about 6,000 feet.

Distribution: Western North America, including Mexico.

Comments:

Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)
Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)
Open flowerheads
Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)
Large, open flowerheads
Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)
Tiny flowers and seeds
Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)
Distinct collar at base of leaf blade
Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)
Collar and ligule hairy

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 200828

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