Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Sand Dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) is a native grass that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and short-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 3 feet, with active growth during the spring. Flowers are yellow and bloom in the late summer. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in washes and rocky slopes, at elevations from 1100-9200 feet.

Plant type

Grass

Size

3 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Summer

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Soak in 71% H2S04 for 2 mins., then soak in 1% potassium nitrate 24 hrs., and germinate at high diurnal fluctua.tion, room temperature (60.8° to 75.2°) and 95°F, 17 and 7 hrs. respectively with light. This treatment is the best overall. Omitting the acid may give good results; substituting 68°F constant for room temperature gives slightly less germination. Substituting 28 days cold stratification for the acid treatment gives an average of 81.8% versus 90.8% for the acid (Toole 1941). No treatment. if sown outdoors in southern California during July or August may give good germination.

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 3, 7*, 9, 10*, 11*, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Site type

Washes, rocky slopes,

Plant communities

Joshua Tree Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Wandering Skipper

Panoquina errans

Sandhill Skipper

Polites sabuleti