Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

Scientific Name: Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Hesperostipa (Elias) Bark/ Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata
General Information
Usda SymbolHECOC9
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsHECOC9

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata is planted.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

needle & thread grass, needleandthread, Stipa comata

Uses

Needle and thread is grazed readily by all livestock, especially in early spring and late fall. It cures well on the stem and provides good forage in fall and winter.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

Description

Grass Family (Poacae). Needle and thread is a native, cool-season, perennial bunch grass. It ranges in height from 1 to 4 feet. It has narrow basal leaves with the blade usually rolled inward, 3 to 12 inches long. Leaves along the stem are shorter and wider than the basal leaves. The seedhead is an open panicle 5 to 10 inches long that is loosely spreading with 1-flowered spikelets. Each seed is 3/8 inch long. The lemma has a slender awn usually 4 to 5 inches long, sometimes 9 inches. Part of the awn next to the seed is tightly twisted and covered with fine soft hair. The awn tip is rough and usually straight. Distribution: For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Management

Periodic grazing deferments of at least 90 days and proper grazing use allow this grass to make maximum production and keep it in balance with associated grasses. To prevent seed from injuring sheep and contaminating wool, remove sheep for 2 to 3 weeks until seed ripen and fall to the ground. © W.L Wagner Smithsonian Institution-Botany @ plants.usda.gov

Establishment

It grows in the early spring and in the late fall if moisture is available, It produces an abundance of basal leaves, which stay green during most seasons, It reproduces from seed and is primarily adapted to sandy or gravelly loam soils, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata., Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Please contact your local NRCS Field Office,

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredYes
Drought ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum130
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum8.4
pH, Minimum6.6
Precipitation, Maximum20
Precipitation, Minimum5
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Salinity ToleranceNone
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
ToxicityNone
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
Nitrogen FixationNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Active Growth PeriodSpring
BloatNone
C:N RatioHigh
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorWhite
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage TextureMedium
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormThicket Forming
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousYes
Fruit/Seed ColorWhite
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorLow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed per Pound137857
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodEarly Summer
Propagated by CuttingsNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialMedium
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductYes
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

<i>Hesperostipa comata</i> (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth var. comata

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