Description
Hesperostipa comata,
Needle and Threadgrass (old nomenclature: Stipa comata)(Native)
Medium to tall, 2 – 4 ft., perennial, drought-tolerant, cool-season bunchgrass. Adapted best to sandy or gravelly to loamy textures but grows on more fine texture, well drained soils also. Widely distributed over the western and plains states from low to medium high elevations. Fair to good palatable forage before needle-sharp seeds mature and again after they drop. Fire-tolerant and often is one of the first species to establish on a disturbed site. Very valuable native grass for revegetation of disturbed soil caused by mining and other activities on harsh, dry, sandy or gravelly soils. Very valuable native wildlife habitat species. Minimum precip. is 8 inches. Plant in fall ½ inch deep. 115,000 seeds/lb.
USDA: Plant Profile | Plant Guide
