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Pleuraphis rigida

Pleuraphis rigida Thurb.

Big Galleta

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): Hilaria rigida

USDA Symbol: PLRI3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This perennial grass is robust and branching from a woody base. Numerous rigid, felty flowering culms rise 2-3+ ft. and bear narrow spikes of bearded spikelets. The leaf blades are also rigid and felty, some almost leathery at the point.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 40 inches tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , UT
Native Distribution: S.w UT to NV & AZ, s. CA & adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Deserts; sandy, gravelly washes & plains

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Sandy & gravelly soils.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or divide roots while the grass is dormant.
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley

Additional resources

USDA: Find Pleuraphis rigida in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Pleuraphis rigida in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pleuraphis rigida

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-25
Research By: TWC Staff

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