Hilaria rigida
| Hilaria rigida | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Hilaria |
| Species: | H. rigida |
| Binomial name | |
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Hilaria rigida (Thurb.) Benth. ex Scribn. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Pleuraphis rigida Thurb. |
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Pleuraphis rigida Thurb.
Hilaria rigida (formerly Pleuraphis rigida) is a species of clumping perennial grass that is widespread in California deserts. It is commonly known as big galleta. It is a monocot in the Hilaria genus of the grass family (Poaceae).
It can be recognized after seed dispersal by the wiry, wavy inflorescence stalks (flexuose) that continue to stick out of the clump of leaf blades. The stems are unusual among grasses in that they are solid, even between the nodes, whereas most grasses have hollow stems.
The clumps help stabilize sand dunes. According to botanist Philip A. Munz, "it is said to be one of the most valuable forage grasses of the desert". Clumps can live more than 100 years.
Big galleta is found in sand dunes, bajadas, scrublands, woodlands, and deserts. It prefers dry, open, sandy to rocky slopes and flats. It occurs on all soil types, but has poor growth in clay soils. It is tolerant of arid environments such as desert floors, and it is the dominant grass in some desert scrub regions. It is found on plains, in sand dunes, and on rocky hillsides. It grows from sea level to about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft). In the Mojave desert, it grows up to 1,220 metres (4,000 ft) in the Mojave Desert,
It is common in creosote bush scrub, Joshua Tree woodland, and blackbrush scrub plant communities, and areas with sandy soils, such as the Kelso sand dunes. In the eastern Mojave Desert, it is more common than its relative, galleta grass (Pleuraphis jamesii).
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Wikipedia