Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr. var. wrightii (Munro ex Scribn.) Gould

Scientific Name: Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr. var. wrightii (Munro ex Scribn.) Gould


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Sporobolus R. Br./ Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr. var. wrightii (Munro ex Scribn.) Gould

<i>Sporobolus airoides</i> (Torr.) Torr. var. wrightii (Munro ex Scribn.) Gould
General Information
Usda SymbolSPAIW
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsSPAIW

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr. var. wrightii (Munro ex Scribn.) Gould.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr. var. wrightii (Munro ex Scribn.) Gould

Uses

Big sacaton may be used in pure stands or as part of a rangeland seeding mix for highly alkaline soils. It is useful for revegetating saline soils throughout the Southwest. It performs well as a grass hedge terrace or windstrip for erosion control. It helps stabilize watershed structures, stream banks and flood plain areas. Big sacaton is also useful for wildlife cover.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

Big sacaton (Sporobolus wrightii) is a native, warm-season grass that forms dense clumps. It is a coarse, upright bunch grass that can grow from 3 to 8 feet tall. Leaves are anywhere from 1 to 2½ inches wide and up to 1 foot long. The pale flowers of big sacaton form in stiff, upright clusters 1 to 2 feet long.

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Big sacaton grows primarily on heavier soils in lowland or wetland sites. It is tolerant of highly alkaline and saline soil, and can tolerate poorly drained soils and seasonally flooded areas. The plant is also found on open areas such as rocky slopes, plateaus, and mesas. Big sacaton is distributed throughout the Southwest. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

Seedbed preparation should begin well in advance of planting, Planting can be scheduled for early spring or where there is minimal cool-season weeds, big sacaton can also be planted in the fall, Establish a clean, weed-free seedbed by either tillage or herbicides, Prior to planting, the site should be firm and have accumulated soil moisture, © W, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr. var. wrightii (Munro ex Scribn.) Gould.,L, Wagner Smithsonian Institution @ USDA NRCS PLANTS Big sacaton seed can be drilled or broadcast, Seed should be planted at 1/8 to 1/4 inch depth, It is better to plant too shallow than too deep, A seeding rate of 1/2 to 1 pound of pure live seed per acre is recommended, Plants can also be grown in small paper containers and then transplanted for establishment of grass hedges and wind barriers, On saline soils, weed-free mulch can be used to improve establishment, Establishment is highly dependent on good rainfall or irrigation, Soil analysis should be performed prior to planting to determine salinity levels and necessary levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, Nitrogen should not be applied until the stand is established, Evaluate the stand after 60 days, If 1 plant per square foot is present than the planting has been successful,

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-13
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceMedium
Frost Free Days, Minimum160
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseMedium
pH, Maximum8.0
pH, Minimum5.6
Precipitation, Maximum20
Precipitation, Minimum5
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)20
Salinity ToleranceLow
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
ToxicityNone
Shape and OrientationErect
Nitrogen FixationNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Active Growth PeriodSummer
BloatNone
C:N RatioHigh
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage TextureCoarse
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)5.5
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed per Pound1965000
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 AbundanceHigh
Commercial AvailabilityField Collections Only
Bloom PeriodLate Summer
Propagated by CuttingsNo


Suitability/Use

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

<i>Sporobolus airoides</i> (Torr.) Torr. var. wrightii (Munro ex Scribn.) Gould

<i>Sporobolus airoides</i> (Torr.) Torr. var. wrightii (Munro ex Scribn.) Gould

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