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Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides)
Plant Species
From Montana
Interagency Plant Materials Handbook *
By S. Smoliak,
R.L. Ditterline, J.D. Scheetz, L.K. Holzworth, J.R. Sims, L.E. Wiesner, D.E.
Baldridge, and G.L. Tibke
Alkali sacaton is of scattered occurrence and thus little importance throughout its northern range. However, in the southwestern United States it occurs in sufficient abundance to be of considerable importance as a forage plant. It ranges from South Dakota to Missouri to eastern Washington, south to Texas and southern California.
Description
Alkali sacaton is a robust, densely-tufted, long-lived, perennial bunchgrass. Its culms are erect to spreading, 2 to 3 feet tall; sheaths pilose at the throat; ligule pilose; blades elongate, flat soon becoming involute, usually less than 3/16 inch wide. The seed stalks are smooth and solid. The seed heads are open panicles that terminate in single florets.
Alkali sacaton has a deep, coarse and often stooling root system, sometimes giving the appearance of short, thick rootstocks. It grows in bunches sometimes 8 to 12 inches in diameter. The foliage is basal and abundant to 18 inches long.
Adaptation
Alkali sacaton grows mostly on lower, slightly-moist, alkaline flats with high water tables (4 to 8 feet) or frequent flooding. Although the species will endure much alkali, it is not restricted to alkali soils. It can be found on rocky sites, open plain, valley and bottomlands, and is common in scattered stands along drainages in the desert and semi-desert areas. It prefers fine-textured soils of calcareous or gypsum nature.
Limitations
As the plant matures, the foliage becomes coarse, tough and unpalatable. It does not cure into good winter feed.
Use for Hay
It produces hay of fair quality if cut at the proper stage of development.
Use for Pasture
Alkali sacaton produces an abundance of forage, which is eaten freely by cattle and horses during the growing season. The grass should be grazed closely to provide good grazing use. It has been reported to cause bloat in sheep at certain stages of its development.
Seed Production
Alkali sacaton seed is not readily available and
the stands are hard to establish. Seed is hard to harvest because it is small,
and seed production is very low.
* The Montana Interagency Plant Materials Handbook (
EB69) is no longer in print, but is available for viewing in