Spike dropseed facts for kids

Sporobolus contractus is a type of grass often called spike dropseed. It grows naturally in western North America. You can find it in places like the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. This grass likes dry areas such as deserts and high plateaus. It also grows in woodlands, scrublands, and open, sandy spots.

Spike Dropseed: A Desert Survivor

This grass is a perennial bunchgrass. This means it lives for many years and grows in a clump or tuft. Its stems can grow quite tall, up to about 1.2 meters (nearly 4 feet) high. The bottom parts of the stems are thick. They are covered by the smooth, hairless leaves of the plant.

What Does Spike Dropseed Look Like?

The top part of the grass, called the inflorescence, is where the seeds are found. For spike dropseed, this part is very dense and shaped like a cylinder. It is narrow and looks like a spike. This spike is made up of many tiny, whitish or grayish spikelets. Each spikelet holds the seeds of the grass.