Page 10 - Native Seeds Catalog Flip Book

Alkali Sacation
(Sporobolus airoides)
In areas characterized by salt, alkali, drought and occasional cloudbursts, the occurrence and importance of this na-
tive grass is well known to ranchers and range men alike. It has a wide geographic range in the western United States. Alkali Sacaton is a medium height, long lived grass growing in large coarse bunches. It is often found in almost pure stands in valleys and flood plains. It is readily taken by cattle and horses during the growing season, but with maturity becomes coarse and tough, not curing out as highly palatable winter feed. It is not necessarily confined to bot- tom lands, but is also found scattered or
in small colonies over uplands at medium elevations, especially on fine textured soils of a calciferous gypsum nature.
The importance of this species in range seeding and the reclamation of disturbed sites on upland soils on alkaline bottom lands is well recognized. The seed averages about 1,355,000 seed units per one pound and is best planted through fine seed boxes so it can be metered out at a rate of 1 to 1 1⁄2 pure live seed pounds per acre. Depth of planting should not be over 1⁄2 inch in the fine textured soils. Time of seeding will vary with the location but should be early enough in the summer that a period of warm soil temperatures will follow.