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Sporobolus flexuosus
Sporobolus flexuosus (Thurb. ex Vasey) Rydb.
Mesa Dropseed
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SPFL2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Mesa dropseed is a 1-4 ft. perennial bunchgrass, usually in rather small clumps. The large, loosely-flowered, airy, elongate seedheads have slender branches and branchlets which spread and droop.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , KS , NM , NV , TX , UTNative Distribution: S. UT to s.e. CA, s. to extreme w. TX, AZ & adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Mesas; 2500 to 5500 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Dry to moist, sandy or gravelly soils.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FACU | FAC | UPL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Sporobolus flexuosus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Sporobolus flexuosus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sporobolus flexuosus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-26Research By: TWC Staff