Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Sporobolus wrightii is a species of grass known by the common names big sacaton and giant sacaton. It is native to the western United States and northern and central Mexico. This species is a perennial bunchgrass with thick stems that can reach 2. 5 metres tall. The leaves are 20 to 70 centimetres long. The panicle is lance-shaped in outline and up to 60 centimetres long. It contains purplish or greenish spikelets.

Plant type

Grass

Size

6 - 16 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Summer

Special uses

Groundcover

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low, Low

Soil description

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

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Soak in water 24 hrs. (72 hrs. okay); germinate at high diurnal fluctuation, room temperature ( 71° to 79.7°) and 91.4°F. Sow seeds wet. Drying seeds 48 hrs. before sowing lowers germination 7% [Anonymous 1944; Toole 1941).

Site type

Seasonally moist, alkaline places

Plant communities

Wetland-Riparian