Big Sacaton

Scientific Name: Sporobolus wrightii Munro ex Scribn.

Big Sacaton

General Information
Usda Symbol	SPWR2
Group	Monocot
Life Cycle	Perennial
Growth Habits	Graminoid
Native Locations	SPWR2

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Big Sacaton.

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, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Big Sacaton., 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.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

Morphology/Physiology

Reproduction

Suitability/Use

Big Sacaton

Big Sacaton