Botanical Name: Sporobolus contractus
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Common Name: Spike Dropseed  
Plant photo of: Sporobolus contractus
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Water Saving Tip:

Fix leaking sprinklers, valves, and pipes.

One broken spray sprinkler can waste 10 gallons per minute - or 100 gallons in a typical 10 minute watering cycle.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

1-3', 3-6'

 

Flower Color

Gold

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Grey Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Very Low, Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Meadow, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

n/a

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Wildlife

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Dropseeds are warm-season bunch grasses that grow from 2-1/2 to 4 feet tall, and not quite as wide. Spike dropseed is similar to sand dropseed, except that the inflorescens doesn't open up, but is more "spike-like." It is useful in revegetation and range; was used by Southwestern Indians as a food source. It might be difficult to find, but there are seed sources.
Grow in full sun in any well drained soil. Tolerates high pH and saline soils. Cut back in late winter; see Guides. Hardy to USDA Zone 4.