+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## alkali sacaton {#alkali-sacaton .Title-Header}                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| *Sporobolu airoides* (Torr.) Torr.                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Plant Symbol = SPAI                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### 

# Alternative Names

giant sacaton, finetop saltgrass, hairgrass dropseed, zacaton alcalino

# Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: The Hopi Indians use the seeds in times of famine
(Whiting 1939). They were ground into flour, eaten dry or made into a
mush.

*Wildlife*: Alkali sacaton's abundant herbage is eaten by cattle, sheep,
and horses (Hitchock 1951). This species is used as a good forage or
grazing grass in lowland and in alkali regions (Gates 1937).

# Status

# Please consult the Plants Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

# Description

*General*: Grass Family (Poaceae). Alkali sacaton is a tough perennial
two to three and a half feet tall, growing in large bunches. The culms
are erect to spreading and range in height from 50 to 100 centimeters
tall. The blades are elongate, flat, soon becoming involute, and usually
less that four millimeters wide (Hitchcock 1951).

*Distribution*: Alkali sacaton ranges from South Dakota to Washington,
south to Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and Mexico (Steyermark 1963). For
current distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site.

# Adaptation

Alkali sacaton grows on dry to moist sites with sand or gravelly soil.
This species is often found growing on alkaline flats, prairies, and
sandy plateaus. It is common along drainage in desert and semi-desert
areas.

# Establishment

*Propagation by Seed*: Alkali sacaton seeds should be sown in the spring
in a greenhouse. Cover the seeds with a light layer of the growing
media. Germination for this species should take place within two weeks.
When seedlings are large enough to handle, plant them directly into
their permanent positions in the summer.

Large divisions can be planted directly into their permanent positions.
However, smaller divisions should be placed in individual pots in a cold
frame, planting them when they are well established in the summer.

# Management

Once *Sporobolus airoides* plants are well established little
maintenance is required. It is best that the stands of this species is
grazed in the spring and summer when growth is active.

# Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

# Commonly available through commercial seed vendors. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of Agriculture."

# 

# References

Britton, N.L. & A. Brown 1970. *An illustrated flora of the northern
United States and Canada*. Dover Publications, New York, New York.

Gates, F.C. 1937. *Grasses in Kansas*. Kansas State Printing Plant,
Topeka, Kansas.

Hitchcock, A.S. 1951. *Manual of the grasses of the United States*.
Misc. Publ. No. 200. U.S. Department of Agricultural, Washington, D.C.

Hitchcock, A.S. 1971. *Manual of the grasses of the United States. Dover
Publications,* New York, New York.

Kearney, T.H.; R.H. Peebles; J. T. Howell; & E. McClintock 1960.
*Arizona flora*. 2^nd^ ed. University of California press, Berkeley,
California.

Munz, P.A. 1974. *A flora of southern California*. University of
California Press, Berkeley, California.

Steyermark, J.A. 1963. *Flora of Missouri*. The Iowa State University
Press, Ames, Iowa.

The Great Plains Flora Association 1986. *Flora of the Great Plains*.
University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.

Whiting, A.F. 1939. *Ethnobotany of the Hopi*. North Arizona Society of
Science and Art.

# Prepared By

## *Jammie Favorite*

formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

# Species Coordinator

*M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Sciences Dept., Davis,
California

Edited: 19jun02 jsp; 03jun03 ahv; 060817 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*