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Sporobolus giganteus - Rydb.

Common Name Giant Dropseed
Family Poaceae or Gramineae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mesas and sandhills[236]. Sand dunes and sandy areas along rivers and roadsides, at elevations from 100 - 1830 metres[270].
Range Southern N. America - Oklahoma and Colorado to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Sporobolus giganteus Giant Dropseed


Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Sporobolus giganteus Giant Dropseed
Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Sporobolus giganteus is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 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 dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - raw or cooked[177]. It can be ground into a flour and cooked as a porridge[257], or can be used as a cereal substitute when making bread, cakes etc. An easily harvested seed, but it is very small and its use as a food has almost disappeared[K, 216].

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

None known

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. 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:

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 (Kansas (west), Oklahoma (west), Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Utah), Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza)

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Sporobolus airoidesAlkali SakatonPerennial0.8 -  LMHNDM10 
Sporobolus asperifolius Perennial0.3 -  LMND10 
Sporobolus caroliFairy GrassPerennial0.4 -  LMNM10 
Sporobolus contractusSpike DropseedPerennial0.8 -  LMNM101
Sporobolus cryptandrusSand DropseedPerennial1.0 4-8  LMNDM301
Sporobolus fimbriatusPerennial Dropseed. Dropseed grassPerennial1.2 10-12 FLMHSNDMWe202
Sporobolus flexuosusMesa DropseedPerennial0.0 -  LMNDM10 
Sporobolus indicusSmut Grass, Rat-tail grass, West Indian dropseedPerennial0.0 0-0  LMNDM111
Sporobolus pallidus Perennial0.0 -  LMNDM10 

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Rydb.

Botanical References

270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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