Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr.

  • Authority

    Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

  • Family

    Poaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr.

  • Description

    Species Description - Stout perennial 4–10 dm, the base of the large clumps densely clothed with the shiny, cream-colored old sheaths; sheaths glabrous or slightly pilose at the upper corners; blades narrow and mostly involute, finely scaberulous above and ± hirsute near the base; panicle open, pyramidal, 12–40 × (5–)10–20 cm, sometimes partly enclosed at base in the uppermost sheath, the branches spreading, alternate or irregularly disposed, bearing spikelets chiefly toward the tips; first glume 0.7–1.2+ mm, the second 1.5–2+ mm; lemma 1.8–2.5(–3) mm; palea about equaling the lemma; anthers 1.2–1.5 mm; 2n=ca 80, ca 90, 108, 126. Low-lying, alkaline meadows; widespread in interior w. U.S. and n. Mex., e. to the Dakotas, Mo., and Okla. Ours is the widespread var. airoides.

  • Common Names

    alkali-sacaton