Stipa speciosa Trin. & Rupr.

Scientific Name: Stipa speciosa Trin. & Rupr.


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Achnatherum P. Beauv./ Stipa speciosa Trin. & Rupr.

<i>Stipa speciosa</i> Trin. & Rupr.
General Information
Usda SymbolSTSP3
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsSTSP3

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Stipa speciosa Trin. & Rupr. is planted.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

desert stipa, Stipa speciosa

Uses

Grazing/Rangeland: Desert needlegrass is palatable to all classes of livestock when young. After desert needlegrass matures, it is moderately grazed by horses and cattle, but is often avoided by other livestock such as sheep. Soil Stabilization: Desert needlegrass can be used for ground cover in arid areas where there is light disturbance. However, it may not persist in areas with a large population of grazing animals due to excessive trampling and overgrazing. Wildlife: Desert needlegrass is palatable to wildlife such as desert bighorn sheep and feral burros, particularly when young.

Status

Consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g., threatened and endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values). © Dr. D.W. Taylor, Jepson Herbarium

Description

Grass Family (Poaceae). Desert needlegrass is a native, cool-season, perennial bunch grass that grows from 1 to 2 feet tall (30 to 60 cm). The leaf basal sheath is hairy, the leaf blade is generally rolled, and the ligule is short. The inflorescence is compact, 4 to 6 inches long (10 to 15 cm), and is generally partly enclosed by the uppermost leaf sheath. Seeds have an awn approximately 1.5 inches long (38 mm) that is bent once and is hairy below the bend.

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Desert needlegrass typically grows on coarse soils with little or no profile development, including alluvial fans, dry rocky hills, talus slopes, and in canyons, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Stipa speciosa Trin. & Rupr.., Desert needlegrass can tolerate low precipitation environments and usually occurs in areas that receive 6 to 20 inches (15 to 50 cm) of annual precipitation, Desert needlegrass typically grows in Mediterranean climates that have mild winters and warm to hot summers, Desert needlegrass is found throughout many western states, including New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, and Oregon, For current distribution, consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site,

Establishment

Desert needlegrass can reproduce vegetatively and by seed. Vegetative reproduction occurs through the annual growth of new tillers. Seed production is highly variable depending on rainfall, and little seed is produced when soil moisture is low and temperatures are high. The long awns of desert needlegrass seed enable self-planting. Cycles of wetting and drying cause the awn to twist and untwist, which drives the seed into the ground. A study on germination rates for desert needlegrass found that germination was greatest for a treatment temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit. The study concluded that after 14 days of incubation at 59 degrees Fahrenheit, germination should be more than 90%.

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 ToleranceMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum120
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum7.7
pH, Minimum6.0
Precipitation, Maximum14
Precipitation, Minimum6
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Salinity ToleranceLow
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
ToxicityNone
Shape and OrientationErect
Nitrogen FixationNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
BloatNone
C:N RatioMedium
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage TextureMedium
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)2.0
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous


Reproduction

Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed per Pound225000
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Commercial AvailabilityNo Known Source
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Propagated by CormNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
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>Stipa speciosa</i> Trin. & Rupr.

<i>Stipa speciosa</i> Trin. & Rupr.

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