1. Alkali Sacaton – Sporobolus airoides
(spor-ROB-oh-lus air-OY-deez)
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Native to: Much of western Northern America from Canada to Mexico; on saline flats, prairies and
sands. Meadows and valleys, especially in moderately saline soils in California.
Growth characteristics: perennial bunchgrass
mature height: 2-3 ft.
mature width: 2-4+ ft.
Long-lived warm-season perennial bunchgrass with coarse erect gray-green leaves with purple
tones. Grows in tough, dense clumps, spreading slowly with age. Very tough & hardy.
Blooms Mar-May in our area. Flowers are small, but flower and seed heads are
very showy. Open flower heads are pink/purple, held above the leaves. Lovely – like a cloud of
misty pink blooms. Can be used as an interesting cut flower.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as an ornamental grass or to stabilize hillsides. Nice addition
to a natural garden – perhaps as back of beds.
Easy to grow & quite drought tolerant when
established. Seeds are edible. Flowering heads look striking when massed or with other grasses.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native ornamental grasses like Pennisetum setaceum.
Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
the leaves when they are green.
Attracts:
Larger mammals will browse
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to very light shade
Any well-drained; often on sandy soils, but fine in any. Alkali & salty soils are fine.
Needs water to establish, and can tolerate seasonal flooding. Mature plants are
quite drought tolerant. Will take anything from little to occasional water.
None really needed, but wouldn’t kill it either.
Survives even in very contaminated soils
Management:
Very easy to manage.
Cut back to 4-6 inches tall when becomes thatchy.
Propagation: from seed: easy in warm weather
by cuttings: divisions in winter
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 25, 28
12/16/10
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