Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Sporobolus wrightii Munro ex Scribner
(Giant Sacaton)


Family: Poaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Sporobolus airoides (Torrey) Torrey var. wrightii (Scribner) Gould

Sporobolus wrightii likes sandy habitats and washes where it can dominate the landscape since it is not grazed by cattle. It is a tall grass arising from a dense tussock. The individual plants are widely spaced rather than growing closely together and dominating the area. The spikelets are shorter than those of Sporobolus giganteus, and the panicles of Sporobolus wrightii are not as dense. Sporobolus wrightii has a hairy ligule.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Sporobolus wrightii, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Saddlerock Rd., July 23, 2007



Sporobolus wrightii, spikelet 2mm and 1st glume 1/3 as long as spikelet, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, FR 536 behind Ft. Bayard, Sept. 22, 2008



Sporobolus wrightii, clump, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Little Burro Mtns., Hwy 180N, July 29, 2009



Sporobolus wrightii, closeup of panicle, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Little Burro Mtns., Hwy 180N, July 29, 2009



Sporobolus wrightii, macro of branch from panicle, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Little Burro Mtns., Hwy 180N, July 29, 2009



Sporobolus wrightii, macro of spikelets, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Little Burro Mtns., Hwy 180N, July 29, 2009



Sporobolus wrightii, nearly all that is left after grazing, photo Russ Kleinman, Ridge Road south of Silver City, February 12, 2010



Sporobolus wrightii, in winter, photo Russ Kleinman, Ridge Road south of Silver City, February 12, 2010


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