Desc:
Annual with erect stems, growing in dense tufts. Identification Notes: Seedhead is contracted, branches are erect and appressed or only slightly spreading. Flat smooth leaves have median lines and boat-shaped tips. Glumes are smooth. Florets have basal tufts of dense cottony or web-like hairs. Grass Type: Annual Rhizomes: N Stolons: N Large Dense Clump (> 2 feet): N Bushy (highly branched): N Height with Seedheads: 12 to 24 inches Seedhead Structure: Branched - contracted Seedhead Droops: N Flowering Period: Mar - May Flower Characteristics
Number of Flowers per Spikelet: Multi-flowered Spikelets One-sided: N Awns: Absent Three Awns: N Awns Bent: N Flower and Seedhead Notes: Seedhead is 2 to 6 inches long and is a compact series of hairy spikelets. Spikelets are broadly oval with 3 to 8 florets overlapping and compressed against each other, spreading apart at maturity. Spikelets have a dense cottony tuft at the base.
Vegetative Charcteristics
Blade Hairy:
N
Blade with White Margins:
N
Blade Cross section:
Flat
Blade Notes:
Blades are flat; 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches wide and 1 to 5 inches long.
Sheath Hairy:
N
Tuft of Hairs at top of Sheath or Collar:
N
Ligules:
Membranous Auricles (Ear-like lobes at collar area:
N
Forage Value:
Highly palatable to livestock but usually not a significant source of forage.
Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590