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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.
From the Image Gallery
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: 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 , YellowBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , UTNative Distribution: S.w UT to NV & AZ, s. CA & adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Deserts; sandy, gravelly washes & plains
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight 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) CalfloraWebref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley
Additional resources
USDA: Find Pleuraphis rigida in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Pleuraphis rigida in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pleuraphis rigida
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-25Research By: TWC Staff