Alkali Sacaton

Scientific Name: Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr.


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Sporobolus R. Br./ Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr.

Alkali Sacaton
General Information
Usda SymbolSPAI
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsSPAI

Plant Guide

Alternative Names

giant sacaton, finetop saltgrass, hairgrass dropseed, zacaton alcalino

Uses

Ethnobotanic: The Hopi Indians use the seeds in times of famine (Whiting 1939). They were ground into flour, eaten dry or made into a mush. Wildlife: Alkali sacaton’s abundant herbage is eaten by cattle, sheep, and horses (Hitchock 1951). This species is used as a good forage or grazing grass in lowland and in alkali regions (Gates 1937).

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

General: Grass Family (Poaceae). Alkali sacaton is a tough perennial two to three and a half feet tall, growing in large bunches. The culms are erect to spreading and range in height from 50 to 100 centimeters tall. The blades are elongate, flat, soon becoming involute, and usually less that four millimeters wide (Hitchcock 1951). Distribution: Alkali sacaton ranges from South Dakota to Washington, south to Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and Mexico (Steyermark 1963). For current distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. R. Mohlenbrock USDA,NRCS,Wetland Sciences Institute @PLANTS

Adaptation

Alkali sacaton grows on dry to moist sites with sand or gravelly soil. This species is often found growing on alkaline flats, prairies, and sandy plateaus. It is common along drainage in desert and semi-desert areas.

Establishment

Propagation by Seed: Alkali sacaton seeds should be sown in the spring in a greenhouse. Cover the seeds with a light layer of the growing media. Germination for this species should take place within two weeks. When seedlings are large enough to handle, plant them directly into their permanent positions in the summer. Large divisions can be planted directly into their permanent positions. However, smaller divisions should be placed in individual pots in a cold frame, planting them when they are well established in the summer.

Management

Once Sporobolus airoides plants are well established little maintenance is required, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Alkali Sacaton., It is best that the stands of this species is grazed in the spring and summer when growth is active, Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Commonly available through commercial seed vendors, Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil

Conservation

Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under ”United States Government.” The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading “Department of Agriculture.”

References

Britton, N.L. & A. Brown 1970. An illustrated flora of the northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, New York, New York. Gates, F.C. 1937. Grasses in Kansas. Kansas State Printing Plant, Topeka, Kansas. Hitchcock, A.S. 1951. Manual of the grasses of the United States. Misc. Publ. No. 200. U.S. Department of Agricultural, Washington, D.C. Hitchcock, A.S. 1971. Manual of the grasses of the United States. Dover Publications, New York, New York. Kearney, T.H.; R.H. Peebles; J. T. Howell; & E. McClintock 1960. Arizona flora. 2nd ed. University of California press, Berkeley, California. Munz, P.A. 1974. A flora of southern California. University of California Press, Berkeley, California. Steyermark, J.A. 1963. Flora of Missouri. The Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa. The Great Plains Flora Association 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Whiting, A.F. 1939. Ethnobotany of the Hopi. North Arizona Society of Science and Art.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

bunchgrass, finetop salt grass

Uses

Livestock: Alkali sacaton is good forage for horses and cattle in the far western United States in arid or semiarid regions. Wildlife: This plant is a source of food for deer, small mammals (it is relished by jackrabbits), birds (game and non game), and waterfowl. Conservation: Alkali sacaton is frequently utilized for seeding and stabilizing disturbed areas. Due to its salt tolerance, it is recommended for seeding saline sites such as oil well pits and saline waste from power generating plants. Landscaping: A mass planting of this species could create a contrast to coarser foliaged plants.

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 and Adaptation

Adaptation , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Alkali Sacaton.

Adaptation

Alkali sacaton is a native perennial large bunchgrass ranging in height from 50 to 150 cm (20-60 inches). The leaves are flat, 2-6 mm (1/16-1/4 inches) wide, and taper from the base of the leaf. The inflorescence is an open panicle 20-50 cm (8-20 inches) long with a pyramidal shape. The small seeds rest singly on branches in the loose, open seedhead. Bloom periods vary by region: April to May in the Southwest, June-October in the Great Plains, and July-August in the Northwest. Alkali sacaton is found in the western half of the United States. It grows in both saline and nonsaline coarse, medium, and fine textured soils. This grass is tolerant of salinity and a broad range of pH. After establishment, alkali sacaton is tolerant of drought and water inundation. However, it is intolerant of shade and is found growing in open areas.

Establishment

Alkali sacaton reproduces from seeds and tillers. The seeds remain viable for years and germinate without being scarified. In Utah, a seed study reported 99% seed germination of seeds that were stored in an open warehouse for 7 years. Plant seeds in the spring when soil temperature will be near 86 0 F (30 0 C) and precipitation probabilities are greatest. The plants can survive on 12 to 18 inches of precipitation per year.

Management

Alkali sacaton is an important forage species in the arid and semiarid regions of the Southwest United States. The grass is tolerant of moderate grazing and a good forage producer. It has the ability to efficiently use extra water during forage production. Alkali sacaton is tolerant of fire; however, it can be killed if the fire is severe. Fire recovery has been reported from 2 to 4 years. Summer fires have more of an effect than winter fires.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum180
Frost Free Days, Minimum150
Frost Free Days, Minimum136
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Anaerobic ToleranceMedium
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Hedge ToleranceNone
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-23
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-13
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Precipitation, Minimum5
Precipitation, Minimum5
Precipitation, Minimum5
Precipitation, Maximum13
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum9.0
pH, Maximum9.0
pH, Maximum9.0
pH, Minimum6.6
pH, Minimum6.6
pH, Minimum6.6
Precipitation, Maximum13
Precipitation, Maximum13


Morphology/Physiology

Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
BloatNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
BloatNone
BloatNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioMedium
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
LifespanModerate
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
LifespanModerate
LifespanModerate
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Growth RateModerate
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth RateModerate
Growth RateModerate
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo


Reproduction

Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Seed per Pound1750000
Seed per Pound1750000
Seed per Pound1750000
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seedling VigorLow
Seedling VigorMedium
Seedling VigorMedium
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Bloom PeriodMid Summer
Bloom PeriodMid Summer
Bloom PeriodMid Summer
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo


Suitability/Use

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

Alkali Sacaton

Alkali Sacaton

Alkali Sacaton

Alkali Sacaton

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