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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Sporobolus contractus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. cryptandrus strictus. Scribn.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - raw or cooked. It can be ground into a flour and used to make gruel, bread, biscuits etc[105, 161, 257]. The seed is small and very fiddly to utilize[K].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Weaving

Bunches of the grass leaves have been fastened together to make mats for covering doorways etc in the home[257].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well drained soil in a sunny position[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they have grown sufficiently. Otherwise, grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Colorado (west), New Mexico, Texas (s. & w.), Arizona, California (south), Nevada (south), Utah), Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Baja California (Norte))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Sporobolus airoides	Alkali Sakaton	Perennial	0.8	-		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Sporobolus asperifolius		Perennial	0.3	-		LM	N	D	1	0
Sporobolus caroli	Fairy Grass	Perennial	0.4	-		LM	N	M	1	0
Sporobolus cryptandrus	Sand Dropseed	Perennial	1.0	4-8		LM	N	DM	3	0	1
Sporobolus fimbriatus	Perennial Dropseed. Dropseed grass	Perennial	1.2	10-12	F	LMH	SN	DMWe	2	0	2
Sporobolus flexuosus	Mesa Dropseed	Perennial	0.0	-		LM	N	DM	1	0
Sporobolus giganteus	Giant Dropseed	Perennial	2.0	-		LM	N	DM	2	0
Sporobolus indicus	Smut Grass, Rat-tail grass, West Indian dropseed	Perennial	0.0	0-0		LM	N	DM	1	1	1
Sporobolus pallidus		Perennial	0.0	-		LM	N	DM	1	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Sporobolus contractus - Hitchc.