Sporobolus cryptandrus

License:

Rights Holder:

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

Distribution

Regional Distribution in the Western United States

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

BLM PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS [12]:

3 Southern Pacific Border

4 Sierra Mountains

5 Columbia Plateau

6 Upper Basin and Range

7 Lower Basin and Range

8 Northern Rocky Mountains

9 Middle Rocky Mountains

10 Wyoming Basin

11 Southern Rocky Mountains

12 Colorado Plateau

13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont

14 Great Plains

15 Black Hills Uplift

16 Upper Missouri Basin and Broken Lands

References:

12. Bernard, Stephen R.; Brown, Kenneth F. 1977. Distribution of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians by BLM physiographic regions and A.W. Kuchler's associations for the eleven western states. Tech. Note 301. Denver, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 169 p. [434]

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Occurrence in North America

AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE HI ID IL IN IA KS LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SD TX UT VT VA WA WV
WI WY DC

AB BC MB NB ON PQ

MEXICO

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Distribution

Sand dropseed occurs from B.C. south to southern California and New Mexico, and east to Ontario, Quebec, and Maine and most of the U.S. except for the extreme southeast [62]. Sand dropseed also occurs in Mexico and southern Canada [59].

References:

59. Hickman, James C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1400 p. [21992]
62. Hitchcock, C. Leo; Cronquist, Arthur. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. 730 p. [1168]

Source:

License:

Localities documented in Tropicos sources

Sporobolus subinclusus var. expansus Parodi:
Argentina (South America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

References:

SPECIMEN BASED RECORD. Published protolog data.

Source:

License:

Rights Holder:

Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA

Localities documented in Tropicos sources

Vilfa triniana Steud.:
Canada (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

References:

SPECIMEN BASED RECORD. Published protolog data.

Source:

License:

Rights Holder:

Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA

Localities documented in Tropicos sources

Sporobolus subinclusus Phil.:
Argentina (South America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

References:

SPECIMEN BASED RECORD. Published protolog data.

Source:

License:

Rights Holder:

Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA

Localities documented in Tropicos sources

Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) A. Gray:
Argentina (South America)
Canada (North America)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

References:

Anonymous. 1986. List-Based Rec., Soil Conserv. Serv., U.S.D.A. Database of the U.S.D.A., Beltsville.
Soreng, R. J., G. Davidse, P. M. Peterson, F. O. Zuloaga, E. J. Judziewicz, T. S. Filgueiras & O. Morrone. 2003 and onwards. On-line taxonomic novelties and updates, distributional additions and corrections, and editorial changes since the four published volumes of the Catalogue of New World Grasses (Poaceae) published in Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. vols. 39, 41, 46, and 48. http://www.tropicos.org/Project/CNWG:. In R. J. Soreng, G. Davidse, P. M. Peterson, F. O. Zuloaga, T. S. Filgueiras, E. J. Judziewicz & O. Morrone Internet Cat. New World Grasses. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.
Herrera Arrieta, Y. & A. Cortés Ortiz. 2010. Listado florístico y aspectos ecológicos de la familia Poaceae para Chihuahua, Durango y Zacatecas, México. J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 4(2): 711–738.
Espejo Serna, A., A. R. López-Ferrari & J. Valdés-Reyna. 2000. Poaceae. Monocot. Mexic. Sinopsis Floríst. 10: 7–236 [and index].
Beetle, A. A. 1977. Noteworthy grasses from Mexico V. Phytologia 37(4): 317–407.
Gould, F. W. & R. Moran. 1981. The grasses of Baja California, Mexico. Mem. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. 12: 1–140.
Kucera, C. L. 1998. The Grasses of Missouri 305 pp., University of Missouri Press, Colombia.
Nicora, E. G., M. E. D. Paula, A. M. Faggi, M. d. Mariano, A. M. M. A., L. R. Parodi, C. A. Petetin, F. A. Roig & Z. R. Agrasar. 1978. Gramineae. 8(3): 1–583. In M. N. Correa Fl. Patagónica. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Buenos Aires.
Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston. 1970. Man. Vasc. Pl. Texas i–xv, 1–1881. The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson.
Small, J. K. 1933. Man. S.E. Fl. i–xxii, 1–1554. Published by the Author, New York.
Great Plains Flora Association. 1986. Fl. Great Plains i–vii, 1–1392. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence.
Munz, P. A. & D. D. Keck. 1959. Cal. Fl. 1–1681. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Munz, P. A. 1974. Fl. S. Calif. 1–1086. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Voss, E. G. 1972. Gymnosperms and Monocots. i–xv, 1–488. In Michigan Fl. Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Zuloaga, F. O., E. G. Nicora, Z. E. R. Agrasar, O. Morrone, J. Pensiero & A. M. Cialdella. 1994. Catálogo de la familia Poaceae en la República Argentina. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 47: i–xi, 1–178.
Barkworth, M. E., K. M. Capels, S. Long & M. B. Piep. 2003. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part): Poaceae, part 2. 25: i–xxv, 1–783. In Fl. N. Amer. Oxford University Press, New York.
Torres, M. A. 1970. Leersia. In: A. L. Cabrera (ed.), Gramíneas. 4(2): 39. In A. L. Cabrera Fl. Prov. Buenos Aires. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Buenos Aires.
Peterson, P. M., S. C. Boechat & J. F. Veldkamp. 2001. Sporobolus. In Catalogue of New World Grasses (Poaceae): II. Subfamily Chloridoideae. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 41: 200–219.
Gleason, H. A. & A. J. Cronquist. 1968. The Pteridophytoa, Gymnospermae and Monocotyledoneae. 1: 1–482. In H. A. Gleason Ill. Fl. N. U.S. (ed. 3). New York Botanical Garden, New York.
Cronquist, A. J., A. H. Holmgren, N. H. Holmgren & Reveal. 1977. Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. 6: 1–584. In A. J. Cronquist, A. H. Holmgren, N. H. Holmgren, J. L. Reveal & P. K. Holmgren (eds.) Intermount. Fl. Hafner Pub. Co., New York.

Source:

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Rights Holder:

Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA

National Distribution

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Source:

NatureServe

License:

Rights Holder:

NatureServe

Morphology

Description

More info for the terms: rhizome, warm-season

Sand dropseed is a warm-season [15,123], shallow-rooted [65], drought resistant [18,26,32], perennial bunch grass [123]. The solid stemmed [26] small tufts [61] of sand dropseed reach 12 to 40 inches (30-100 cm) tall [6,15].

Sand dropseed is a polymorphic species [103,132]. Leaf blades range from 3 to 10 inches (8-25 cm) long and 8/100 to 2/10 of an inch (2-5 mm) wide [51]. The panicle is purplish to lead colored [91,98], with the inflorescence ranging 6 to 16 inches (15-40 cm) long [61,123] and 1 to 6 inches (2-15 cm) wide [123]. A sheath partially encloses the inflorescence [85].

The roots of sand dropseed are fine, 2/100 of an inch (0.5 mm) or less in diameter, stretching from a short stocky rhizome [35]. These fine roots may stretch laterally up to 10 inches (25 cm) and up to 31 inches (78 cm) down through the soil [35]. At 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm) below the soil surface, lateral roots branch and rebranch continuously forming a dense, soil binding mat [35].

References:

6. Anderson, Darwin; Hamilton, Louis P.; Reynolds, Hudson G.; Humphrey, Robert R. 1953. Reseeding desert grassland ranges in southern Arizona. Bulletin 249. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Agricultural Experiment Station. 32 p. [4439]
15. Blaisdell, James P.; Holmgren, Ralph C. 1984. Managing Intermountain rangelands--salt-desert shrub ranges. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-163. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 52 p. [464]
18. Bridges, J. O. 1942. Reseeding practices for New Mexico ranges. Bull. 291. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Agricultural Experiment Station. 48 p. [5204]
26. Canfield, R. H. 1948. Perennial grass composition as an indicator of condition of Southwestern mixed grass ranges. Ecology. 29: 190-204. [5308]
32. Costello, David F. 1944. Natural revegetation of abandoned plowed land in the mixed prairie association of northeastern Colorado. Ecology. 25(3): 312-326. [25703]
35. Coupland, Robert T.; Johnson, R. E. 1965. Rooting characteristics of native grassland species of Saskatchewan. Journal of Ecology. 53: 475-507. [702]
51. Gould, Frank W. 1978. Common Texas grasses. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press. 267 p. [5035]
65. Hossner, L. R.; Woodard, H. J.; Bush, Janis. 1992. Growth and selenium uptake of range plants propagated in uranium mine spoils. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 15(12): 2743-2761. [25178]
85. Lewis, James K.; Van Dyne, George M.; Albee, Leslie R.; Whetzal, Frank W. 1956. Intensity of grazing: Its effect on livestock and forage production. Bulletin 459. Brookings, SD: South Dakota State College, Agricultural Experiment Station. 44 p. [11737]
91. Morris, H. E.; Booth, W. E.; Payne, G. F.; Stitt, R. E. 1950. Important grasses on Montana ranges. Bull. No. 470. Bozeman, MT: Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. 52 p. [5520]
98. Ohlenbuseh, Paul D.; Hodges, Elizabeth P.; Pope, Susan. 1983. Range grasses of Kansas. Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University, Cooperative Extension Service. 23 p. [5316]
103. Quinn, James A.; Ward, Richard T. 1969. Ecological differentiation in sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) Ecological Monographs. 39(1): 61-78. [30452]
123. Stubbendieck, James; Hatch, Stephan L.; Butterfield, Charles H. 1992. North American range plants. 4th ed. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. 493 p. [25162]
132. Voigt, P. W.; Oaks, Wendall. 1985. Lovegrasses, dropseeds, and other desert and subtropical grasses. In: Range plant improvement in western North America: Proceedings of a symposium at the annual meeting of the Society for Range Management; 1985 February 14; Salt Lake City, UT. Denver, CO: Society for Range Management: 70-79. [4387]
61. Hitchcock, A. S. 1951. Manual of the grasses of the United States. Misc. Publ. No. 200. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Administration. 1051 p. [2nd edition revised by Agnes Chase in two volumes. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.]. [1165]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

Physical Description

Perennials, Terrestrial, not aquatic, Stems nodes swollen or brittle, Stems erect or ascending, Stems caespitose, tufted, or clustered, Stems terete, round in cross section, or polygonal, Stem internodes hollow, Stems with inflorescence less than 1 m tall, Stems, culms, or scapes exceeding basal leaves, Leaves mostly cauline, Leaves conspicuously 2-ranked, distichous, Leaves sheathing at base, Leaf sheath mostly open, or loose, Leaf sheath smooth, glabrous , Leaf sheath hairy, hispid or prickly, Leaf sheath hairy at summit, throat, or collar, Leaf sheath and blade differentiated, Leaf blades linear, Leaf blades 2-10 mm wide, Leaf blade margins folded, involute, or conduplicate, Leaf blades mostly glabrous, Leaf blades more or less hairy, Leaf blades scabrous, roughened, or wrinkled, Ligule present, Ligule a fringe of hairs, Inflorescence terminal, Inflorescence an open panicle, openly paniculate, branches spreading, Inflorescence solitary, with 1 spike, fascicle, glomerule, head, or cluster per stem or culm, Inflorescence branches more than 10 to numerous, Flowers bisexual, Spikelets pedicellate, Spikelets laterally compressed, Inflorescence or spikelets partially hidden in leaf sheaths, subtended by spatheole, Spikelet less than 3 mm wide, Spikelets with 1 fertile floret, Spikelets solitary at rachis nodes, Spikelets all alike and fertille, Spikelets bisexual, Spikelets disarticulating above the glumes, glumes persistent, Rac hilla or pedicel glabrous, Glumes present, empty bracts, Glumes 2 clearly present, Glumes distinctly unequal, Glumes shorter than adjacent lemma, Glumes 1 nerved, Lemmas thin, chartaceous, hyaline, cartilaginous, or membranous, Lemma similar in texture to glumes, Lemma 1 nerved, Lemma glabrous, Lemma apex acute or acuminate, Lemma awnless, Lemma straight, Palea present, well developed, Palea membranous, hyaline, Palea about equal to lemma, Palea 2 nerved or 2 keeled, Stamens 3, Styles 2-fid, deeply 2-branched, Stigmas 2, Fruit - caryopsis, Caryopsis ellipsoid, longitudinally grooved, hilum long-linear.

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Habitat

Key Plant Community Associations

More info for the terms: association, climax, succession

Sand dropseed is a climax species in 3 or more associations and a member of the ancestral mixed prairie [31]. Common grass associates are poverty, purple, red and Woton's three awn (Aristida divaricata, A. purpurea, A. purpurea var. longiseta, A. pansa), big, sand and little bluestem (Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii, A. gerardii var. pavaipilus, Schizachyrium scoparium), black , blue and hairy grama (Bouteloua eriopoda, B. gracilis, B. hirsuta), buffalo grass (Buchloe
dactyloides),galleta (Hilaria jamesii), Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha), Texas bluegrass (Poa arachnifera), spike and mesa dropseed (Sporobolus flexuous, S. contractus), needlegrass (Heterostipa comata).

Sand dropseed is listed as an indicator or a dominant species in the following publications:

Ecology of fire in short-grass prairie communities of the Kiowa National Grassland [43]

Phyto-edaphic communities of the upper Rio Puerco watershed, New Mexico [44]

Preliminary habitat types of a semiarid grassland [45]

Classification and ordination of seral plant communities [71]

Grassland ranges in the southern interior of British Columbia [89]

The palouse grassland association in northern Utah [121]

The grasslands of the southern interior of British Columbia [125]

Plant communities and secondary succession in south-central South Dakota [126]

Vegetation of the northern part of Cherry County, Nebraska [127]

References:

31. Cook, C. Wayne; Stoddart, L. A.; Harris, Lorin E. 1954. The nutritive value of winter range plants in the Great Basin as determined with digestion trials with sheep. Bulletin 372. Logan, UT: Utah State University, Agricultural Experiment Station. 56 p. [682]
43. Ford, Paulette L.; McPherson, Guy R. 1996. Ecology of fire in shortgrass prairie communities of the Kiowa National Grassland. In: Warwick, Charles, ed. 15th North American prairie conference: Proceedings; 1996 October 23-26; St. Charles, IL. Bend, OR: The Natural Areas Association: 71-76. [30254]
44. Francis, Richard E. 1986. Phyto-edaphic communities of the Upper Rio Puerco Watershed, New Mexico. Res. Pap. RM-272. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 73 p. [954]
45. Francis, Richard E.; Aldon, Earl F. 1983. Preliminary habitat types of a semiarid grassland. In: Moir, W. H.; Hendzel, Leonard, tech. coords. Proceedings of the workshop on Southwestern habitat types; 1983 April 6-8; Albuquerque, NM. Albuquerque, NM: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southwestern Region: 62-66. [956]
71. Huschle, Gary; Hironaka, M. 1980. Classification and ordination of seral plant communities. Journal of Range Management. 33(3): 179-182. [1225]
89. McLean, Alastair; Marchand, Leonard. 1968. Grassland ranges in the southern interior of British Columbia. Publication 1319. Ottawa, Canada: Canada Department of Agriculture, Division. 18 p. [1622]
121. Stoddart, L. A. 1941. The palouse grassland association in northern Utah. Ecology. 22(2): 158-163. [2258]
125. Tisdale, E. W. 1947. The grasslands of the southern interior of British Columbia. Ecology. 28(4): 346-382. [2340]
126. Tolstead, W. L. 1941. Plant communities and secondary succession in south-central South Dakota. Ecology. 22(3): 322-328. [5887]
127. Tolstead, W. L. 1942. Vegetation of the northern part of Cherry County, Nebraska. Ecological Monographs. 12: 255-292. [4470]

Source:

License:

Habitat: Rangeland Cover Types

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

This species is known to occur in association with the following Rangeland Cover Types (as classified by the Society for Range Management, SRM):

More info for the terms: association, cover, shrub

SRM (RANGELAND) COVER TYPES [118]:

101 Bluebunch wheatgrass

102 Idaho fescue

104 Antelope bitterbrush-bluebunch wheatgrass

105 Antelope bitterbrush-Idaho fescue

106 Bluegrass scabland

107 Western juniper/big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass

110 Ponderosa pine-grassland

201 Blue oak woodland

203 Riparian woodland

206 Chamise chaparral

207 Scrub oak mixed chaparral

209 Montane shrubland

210 Bitterbrush

211 Creosotebush scrub

212 Blackbush

215 Valley grassland

216 Montane meadows

304 Idaho fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass

309 Idaho fescue-western wheatgrass

310 Needle-and-thread-blue grama

311 Rough fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass

314 Big sagebrush-bluebunch wheatgrass

315 Big sagebrush-Idaho fescue

316 Big sagebrush-rough fescue

320 Black sagebrush-bluebunch wheatgrass

321 Black sagebrush-Idaho fescue

322 Curlleaf mountain-mahogany-bluebunch wheatgrass

401 Basin big sagebrush

402 Mountain big sagebrush

403 Wyoming big sagebrush

405 Black sagebrush

406 Low sagebrush

408 Other sagebrush types

409 Tall forb

412 Juniper-pinyon woodland

413 Gambel oak

414 Salt desert shrub

415 Curlleaf mountain-mahogany

416 True mountain-mahogany

422 Riparian

501 Saltbush-greasewood

502 Grama-galleta

503 Arizona chaparral

504 Juniper-pinyon pine woodland

505 Grama-tobosa shrub

506 Creosotebush-bursage

508 Creosotebush-tarbush

509 Transition between oak-juniper woodland and mahogany-oak association

601 Bluestem prairie

602 Bluestem-prairie sandreed

603 Prairie sandreed-needlegrass

604 Bluestem-grama prairie

605 Sandsage prairie

606 Wheatgrass-bluestem-needlegrass

607 Wheatgrass-needlegrass

608 Wheatgrass-grama-needlegrass

609 Wheatgrass-grama

610 Wheatgrass

611 Blue grama-buffalo grass

612 Sagebrush-grass

613 Fescue grassland

614 Crested wheatgrass

615 Wheatgrass-saltgrass-grama

701 Alkali sacaton-tobosagrass

702 Black grama-alkali sacaton

703 Black grama-sideoats grama

704 Blue grama-western wheatgrass

705 Blue grama-galleta

706 Blue grama-sideoats grama

707 Blue grama-sideoats grama-black grama

708 Bluestem-dropseed

709 Bluestem-grama

710 Bluestem prairie

711 Bluestem-sacahuista prairie

712 Galleta-alkali sacaton

713 Grama-muhly-threeawn

714 Grama-bluestem

715 Grama-buffalo grass

716 Grama-feathergrass

717 Little bluestem-Indiangrass-Texas wintergrass

718 Mesquite-grama

720 Sand bluestem-little bluestem (dunes)

722 Sand sagebrush-mixed prairie

724 Sideoats grama-New Mexico feathergrass-winterfat

727 Mesquite-buffalo grass

728 Mesquite-granjeno-acacia

729 Mesquite

730 Sand shinnery oak

731 Cross timbers-Oklahoma

732 Cross timbers-Texas (little bluestem-post oak)

733 Juniper-oak

734 Mesquite-oak

801 Savanna

802 Missouri prairie

References:

118. Shiflet, Thomas N., ed. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Denver, CO: Society for Range Management. 152 p. [23362]

Source:

License:

Habitat: Cover Types

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

More info for the term: cover

SAF COVER TYPES [40]:

14 Northern pin oak

40 Post oak-blackjack oak

42 Bur oak

44 Chestnut oak

46 Eastern redcedar

52 White oak-black oak-northern red oak

53 White oak

63 Cottonwood

66 Ash juniper-redberry (Pinchot) juniper

67 Mohrs (shin) oak

68 Mesquite

69 Sand pine

72 Southern scrub oak

110 Black oak

210 Interior Douglas-fir

220 Rocky Mountain juniper

229 Pacific Douglas-fir

233 Oregon white oak

235 Cottonwood-willow

236 Bur oak

237 Interior ponderosa pine

238 Western juniper

239 Pinyon-juniper

240 Arizona cypress

241 Western live oak

242 Mesquite

243 Sierra Nevada mixed conifer

246 California black oak

247 Jeffrey pine

248 Knobcone pine

250 Blue oak-foothills pine

References:

40. Eyre, F. H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Society of American Foresters. 148 p. [905]

Source:

License:

Habitat: Plant Associations

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the term: shrub

KUCHLER PLANT ASSOCIATIONS [83]:

K005 Mixed conifer forest

K010 Ponderosa shrub forest

K011 Western ponderosa forest

K012 Douglas-fir forest

K016 Eastern ponderosa forest

K017 Black Hills pine forest

K018 Pine-Douglas-fir forest

K019 Arizona pine forest

K022 Great Basin pine forest

K023 Juniper-pinyon woodland

K024 Juniper steppe woodland

K026 Oregon oakwoods

K027 Mesquite bosques

K028 Mosaic of K002 and K026

K029 California mixed evergreen forest

K030 California oakwoods

K031 Oak-juniper woodland

K032 Transition between K031 and K037

K033 Chaparral

K037 Mountain-mahogany-oak scrub

K038 Great Basin sagebrush

K039 Blackbrush

K040 Saltbush-greasewood

K043 Paloverde-cactus shrub

K044 Creosotebush-tarbush

K045 Ceniza shrub

K047 Fescue-oatgrass

K048 California steppe

K050 Fescue-wheatgrass

K051 Wheatgrass-bluegrass

K053 Grama-galleta steppe

K054 Grama-tobosa prairie

K055 Sagebrush steppe

K056 Wheatgrass-needlegrass shrubsteppe

K057 Galleta-threeawn shrubsteppe

K058 Grama-tobosa shrubsteppe

K060 Mesquite savanna

K061 Mesquite-acacia savanna

K062 Mesquite-live oak savanna

K063 Foothills prairie

K064 Grama-needlegrass-wheatgrass

K065 Grama-buffalo grass

K066 Wheatgrass-needlegrass

K067 Wheatgrass-bluestem-needlegrass

K068 Wheatgrass-grama-buffalo grass

K069 Bluestem-grama prairie

K070 Sandsage-bluestem prairie

K071 Shinnery

K074 Bluestem prairie

K075 Nebraska Sandhills prairie

K076 Blackland prairie

K077 Bluestem-sacahuista prairie

K081 Oak savanna

K082 Mosaic of K074 and K100

K084 Cross Timbers

K085 Mesquite-buffalo grass

K086 Juniper-oak savanna

K087 Mesquite-oak savanna

K088 Fayette prairie

K089 Black Belt

K099 Maple-basswood forest

K100 Oak-hickory

K104 Appalachian oak forest

References:

83. Kuchler, A. W. 1964. United States [Potential natural vegetation of the conterminous United States]. Special Publication No. 36. New York: American Geographical Society. 1:3,168,000; colored. [3455]

Source:

License:

Habitat: Ecosystem

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

ECOSYSTEMS [48]:

FRES14 Oak-pine

FRES15 Oak-hickory

FRES20 Douglas-fir

FRES21 Ponderosa pine

FRES26 Lodgepole pine

FRES28 Western hardwoods

FRES29 Sagebrush

FRES30 Desert shrub

FRES31 Shinnery

FRES32 Texas savanna

FRES33 Southwestern shrubsteppe

FRES34 Chaparral-mountain shrub

FRES35 Pinyon-juniper

FRES36 Mountain grasslands

FRES38 Plains grasslands

FRES39 Prairie

FRES40 Desert grasslands

FRES42 Annual grasslands

References:

48. Garrison, George A.; Bjugstad, Ardell J.; Duncan, Don A.; [and others]. 1977. Vegetation and environmental features of forest and range ecosystems. Agric. Handb. 475. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 68 p. [998]

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Habitat characteristics

Sand dropseed occurs in several soil types [103,123,132] and elevations [123] with site characteristics varying according to region. Within the Nebraska sandhills, preferred sites are sandier areas [136] of dry valley bottoms and dune base slopes [47]. Clay soils [36,103], silty clay loam [36], sandy loam [34], sandy alluvial soils [71], and gravelly soils [31,123,130] are also inhabited. In general, open [102] and disturbed areas with permeable, sandy soils [69,70,102] are preferred. Dry sandy ridges and plains are preferred in south-central New Mexico [26]. In southern Ontario, dry prairies with coarse sand and sandy loam are preferred [41].

Although sand dropseed prefers well-drained and permeable soils, populations are not restricted. Areas subjected to seasonal flooding are also inhabited by sand dropseed. Sand dropseed occurs under cottonwoods (Populus spp.) within intermittent streambeds [3] and upland areas of playa lakes [63]. Sand dropseed is also found within cottonwood communities of the South Platte and Arkansas river floodplains. [86].

Sand dropseed does not require high amounts of soil moisture. Populations are widespread in the Great Basin where summer rains are inconsistent from year to year and moderate in long-term averages [30].

Some states and relative elevational ranges where sand dropseed occurs:

Arizona 200 to 7000 feet (60-2100 m)[70]
California 100 to 900 feet (30-270 m)
Colorado 3500 to 8000 feet (1100-2400 m)
Utah up to 7,000 feet [130]

References:

31. Cook, C. Wayne; Stoddart, L. A.; Harris, Lorin E. 1954. The nutritive value of winter range plants in the Great Basin as determined with digestion trials with sheep. Bulletin 372. Logan, UT: Utah State University, Agricultural Experiment Station. 56 p. [682]
3. Albertson, F. W.; Weaver, J. E. 1945. Injury and death or recovery of trees in prairie climate. Ecological Monographs. 15: 393-433. [4328]
26. Canfield, R. H. 1948. Perennial grass composition as an indicator of condition of Southwestern mixed grass ranges. Ecology. 29: 190-204. [5308]
30. Comstock, Jonathan P.; Ehleringer, James R. 1992. Plant adaptation in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. The Great Basin Naturalist. 52(3): 195-215. [20094]
34. Coupland, Robert T. 1958. The effects of fluctuations in weather upon the grasslands of the Great Plains. Botanical Review. 24(5): 273-317. [12502]
36. Denyes, H. Arliss. 1956. Natural terrestrial communities of Brewster County, Texas, with special reference to the distribution of the mammals. The American Midland Naturalist. 55(2): 289-320. [10862]
41. Faber-Langendoen, Don; Maycock, Paul F. 1994. A vegetation analysis of tallgrass prairie in southern Ontario. In: Wickett, Robert G.; Lewis, Patricia Dolan; Woodliffe, Allen; Pratt, Paul, eds. Spirit of the land, our prairie legacy: Proceedings, 13th North American prairie conference; 1992 August 6-9; Windsor, ON. Windsor, ON: Department of Parks and Recreation: 17-32. [24674]
47. Frolik, A. L.; Shepherd, W. O. 1940. Vegetative composition and grazing capacity of a typical area of Nebraska sandhills rangeland. Research Bulletin No. 117. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Agricultural Experimental Station. 39 p. [5417]
63. Hoagland, Bruce W.; Collins, Scott L. 1997. Heterogeneity in shortgrass prairie vegetation: the role of playa lakes. Journal of Vegetation Science. 8(2): 277-286. [28437]
69. Humphrey, Robert R. 1955. Forage production on Arizona ranges, IV. Coconino, Navajo, Apache Counties: A study in range condition. Bulletin 266. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Agricultural Experiment Station. 84 p. [5087]
70. Humphrey, Robert R. 1960. Arizona range grasses: Description--forage value--management. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Agricultural Experiment Station. 104 p. [5004]
71. Huschle, Gary; Hironaka, M. 1980. Classification and ordination of seral plant communities. Journal of Range Management. 33(3): 179-182. [1225]
86. Lindauer, Ivo E. 1983. A comparison of the plant communities of the South Platte and Arkansas River drainages in eastern Colorado. The Southwestern Naturalist. 28(3): 249-259. [5886]
102. Plummer, A. Perry; Hull, A. C., Jr.; Stewart, George; Robertson, Joseph H. 1955. Seeding rangelands in Utah, Nevada, southern Idaho and western Wyoming. Agric. Handb. 71. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 73 p. [11736]
103. Quinn, James A.; Ward, Richard T. 1969. Ecological differentiation in sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) Ecological Monographs. 39(1): 61-78. [30452]
123. Stubbendieck, James; Hatch, Stephan L.; Butterfield, Charles H. 1992. North American range plants. 4th ed. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. 493 p. [25162]
130. Vallentine, John F. 1961. Important Utah range grasses. Extension Circular 281. Logan, UT: Utah State University. 48 p. [2937]
132. Voigt, P. W.; Oaks, Wendall. 1985. Lovegrasses, dropseeds, and other desert and subtropical grasses. In: Range plant improvement in western North America: Proceedings of a symposium at the annual meeting of the Society for Range Management; 1985 February 14; Salt Lake City, UT. Denver, CO: Society for Range Management: 70-79. [4387]
136. Whitcomb, Robert F. 1989. Nebraska Sand Hills: the last prairie. In: Bragg, Thomas B.; Stubbendieck, James, eds. Prairie pioneers: ecology, history and culture: Proceedings, 11th North American prairie conference; 1988 August 7-11; Lincoln, NE. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska: 57-69. [14020]

Source:

License:

Dispersal

Establishment

It grows best in association with other grasses but may grow in pure stands. Sand dropseed usually produces an abundant seed crop. Many seeds are held between the stem and sheath until the plant deteriorates. Because seeds remain viable for many years, this grass re-seeds itself readily on ranges following overgrazing or drought. It grows best on sandy soils at lower elevations of its range. Also, it grows on coarse, gravelly soils and at elevations to 8,000 feet.

Source:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

License:

Rights Holder:

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

Associations

Known predators

Sporobolus cryptandrus (sand dropseed (grass)) is prey of:
Bos taurus
Ovis
Bison
Lepus californicus
Lepus townsendii
Orthoptera
Geomyidae
Dipodomys
Spermophilus

Based on studies in:
USA: California, Cabrillo Point (Grassland)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

References:

L. D. Harris and L. Paur, A quantitative food web analysis of a shortgrass community, Technical Report No. 154, Grassland Biome. U.S. International Biological Program (1972), from p. 17.

Source:

SPIRE

License:

Rights Holder:

SPIRE project

General Ecology

Fire Management Considerations

More info for the term: competition

In general sand dropseed has the ability to show positive responses to fire in conjunction with reduced competition from neighboring species [134].

References:

134. Whisenant, Steven G.; Uresk, Dan W. [n.d.]. Effects of fire on vital attributes of a South Dakota, mixed prairie. Draft manuscript. On file with: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT. 23 p. [17135]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Broad-scale Impacts of Plant Response to Fire

More info for the term: cover

A cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)-sand dropseed-red threeawn grassland community in Utah was evaluated for 5 years to determine response to fire. The foliage cover (% of surface covered) before and after the fire (1956) was as follows [27]:

1955 1957 1958 1960 1961 cheatgrass 37.9 64.2 55.5 59.2 63.3 sand dropseed 14.2 10.9 7.6 9.6 7.3 red threeawn 11.5 3.4 6.2 9.9 5.0
Few sand dropseed plants were completely killed by the fire [27].

Sand dropseed phytomass was observed after an October lightning fire in a Nebraska sandhills grassland. Results for the following growing season are summarized below [92]:

Burned Area Phytomass g/m2
June July August October 3.0 4.7 7.6 11.7

Unburned Area Phytomass g/m2
June July August October 4.6 2.7 4.7 8.7

The percent occurrence of sand dropseed was monitored 4 and 8 years following a spring burn within a redberry juniper habitat in Texas. No significant differences were seen at 4 and 8 years postburn when compared to the unburned control [84]. In the Texas high plains, a decrease in basal diameter was observed with burns two years in a row, regardless of burn season (spring or fall). Single burns resulted in both increased diameters and no change. Seed stalk production decreased with fall and spring burning [128].

References:

27. Christensen, Earl M. 1964. Changes in composition of a Bromus tectorum-Sporobolus cryptandrus-Aristida longiseta community following fire. Utah Academy Proceedings. 41(Part I): 53-57. [626]
84. Leif, Anthony P. 1987. Bobwhite and scaled quail responses to burning of redberry juniper-dominated rangelands. Lubbock, TX: Texas Tech University. 84 p. Thesis. [23080]
92. Morrison, Linda C.; DuBois, John D.; Kapustka, Lawrence A. 1986. The vegetational response of a Nebraska sandhills grassland to a naturally occurring fall burn. Prairie Naturalist. 18(3): 179-184. [1696]
128. Trlica, M. J., Jr.; Schuster, J. L. 1969. Effects of fire on grasses of the Texas high plains. Journal of Range Management. 22: 329-333. [2359]

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Plant Response to Fire

The extent of damage imposed by fire upon sand dropseed is related to season of burn. Early spring burns show positive responses in sand dropseed. Within a western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) community in South Dakota, a spring burn saw increased sand dropseed standing crop for 3 and 4 postburn years [134]. Results for two year successional spring burns in South Dakota also showed increased sand dropseed standing crop [134]. Spring burning in southern Nebraska was associated with positive sand dropseed response [115].

Under periods of water stress sand dropseed's ability to withstand fire is inhibited [60,139]. Drought and fire together cause greater deleterious effects than fire in wet periods [138]. In the northern Great Plains, sand dropseed is usually harmed by fire; however, tolerance to fire was observed when winter and spring precipitation reached levels 40% greater than normal [60]. During wet years (0-40% above normal precipitation) small and medium sized sand dropseed showed no negative responses to fire [137]. Effects are generally negatively associated when sand dropseed is actively growing compared to dormant phases [7,128].

References:

7. Anderson, Kling L.; Smith, Ed F.; Owensby, Clenton E. 1970. Burning bluestem range. Journal of Range Management. 23: 81-92. [323]
60. Higgins, Kenneth F.; Kruse, Arnold D.; Piehl, James L. 1989. Effects of fire in the Northern Great Plains. Ext. Circ. EC-761. Brookings, SD: South Dakota State University, Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. 47 p. [14749]
115. Schacht, Walter; Stubbendieck, J. 1985. Prescribed burning in the loess hills mixed prairie of southern Nebraska. Journal of Range Management. 38(1): 47-51. [2071]
128. Trlica, M. J., Jr.; Schuster, J. L. 1969. Effects of fire on grasses of the Texas high plains. Journal of Range Management. 22: 329-333. [2359]
137. Wright, Henry A. 1974. Effect of fire on southern mixed prairie grasses. Journal of Range Management. 27(6): 417-419. [2614]
138. Wright, Henry A. 1974. Range burning. Journal of Range Management. 27(1): 5-11. [2613]
139. Wright, Henry A.; Bailey, Arthur W. 1980. Fire ecology and prescribed burning in the Great Plains--a research review. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-77. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 60 p. [2618]
134. Whisenant, Steven G.; Uresk, Dan W. [n.d.]. Effects of fire on vital attributes of a South Dakota, mixed prairie. Draft manuscript. On file with: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT. 23 p. [17135]

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Post-fire Regeneration

More info for the terms: graminoid, secondary colonizer, tussock

POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY [119]:

Tussock graminoid
Initial colonizer - on-site seed Secondary colonizer - on-site seed

References:

119. Stickney, Peter F. 1989. Seral origin of species originating in northern Rocky Mountain forests. Unpublished draft on file at: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT; RWU 4403 files. 10 p. [20090]

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Fire Ecology

Sand dropseed is usually killed or topkilled by fire [60,105,120]. Sand dropseed has the potential for postfire regeneration and seedling establishment as seeds within burned areas may remain viable [1]. However, the degree of postfire seedling establishment relative to unburned areas is under debate [1,87]. Postfire regeneration responses may differ according to relative abiotic and biotic site characteristics [1,87].

The following table describes historic FIRE REGIMES for many communities where sand dropseed occurs. Community or Ecosystem Dominant Species Fire Return Interval Range in Years California chaparral Adenostoma and/or Arctostaphylos spp. bluestem prairie Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii-Schizachyrium scoparium 23,82] Nebraska sandhills prairie Andropogon gerardii var. paucipilus-Schizachyrium scoparium sagebrush steppe Artemisia tridentata/Pseudoroegneria spicata 20-70 [23] basin big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata var. tridentata 12-43 [113] mountain big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana 5-15 [140] Wyoming big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata var. wyomingensis 10-70 (40)** [131,140] coastal sagebrush Artemisia californica saltbush-greasewood Atriplex confertifolia-Sarcobatus vermiculatus desert grasslands Bouteloua eriopoda and/or Pleuraphis mutica 5-100 plains grasslands Bouteloua spp. blue grama-needle-and-thread grass-western wheatgrass Bouteloua gracilis-Hesperostipa comata-Pascopyrum smithii blue gramma-buffalo grass Bouteloua gracilis-Buchloe dactyloides grama-galleta steppe Bouteloua gracilis-Pleuraphis jamesii blue grama-tobosa prairie Bouteloua gracilis-Pleuraphis mutica cheatgrass Bromus tectorum blackbrush Coleogyne ramosissima Arizona cypress Cupressus arizonica California steppe Festuca-Danthonia spp. juniper-oak savanna Juniperus ashei-Quercus virginiana western juniper Juniperus occidentalis 20-70 Rocky Mountain juniper Juniperus scopulorum pinyon-juniper Pinus-Juniperus spp. Pacific ponderosa pine* Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa 1-47 Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine* Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum 2-10 mesquite Prosopis glandulosa mesquite-buffalo grass Prosopis glandulosa-Buchloe dactyloides Texas savanna Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa California oakwoods Quercus spp. oak-hickory Quercus-Carya spp. oak-juniper woodland (Southwest) Quercus-Juniperus spp. northeastern oak-pine Quercus-Pinus spp. 10 to oak savanna Quercus macrocarpa/Andropogon gerardii-Schizachyrium scoparium 2-14 shinnery Quercus mohriana chestnut oak Q. prinus 3-8 northern red oak Quercus rubra 10 to post oak-blackjack oak Quercus stellata-Q. marilandica black oak Quercus velutina live oak Quercus virginiana 10 to23] *fire return interval varies widely; trends in variation are noted in the species summary
**(mean)

References:

1. Abrams, Marc D. 1988. Effects of burning regime on buried seed banks and canopy coverage in a Kansas tallgrass prairie. The Southwestern Naturalist. 33(1): 65-70. [4415]
113. Sapsis, David B. 1990. Ecological effects of spring and fall prescribed burning on basin big sagebrush/Idaho fescue--bluebunch wheatgrass communities. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. 105 p. Thesis. [16579]
23. Brown, James K.; Smith, Jane Kapler, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 257 p. [33874]
60. Higgins, Kenneth F.; Kruse, Arnold D.; Piehl, James L. 1989. Effects of fire in the Northern Great Plains. Ext. Circ. EC-761. Brookings, SD: South Dakota State University, Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. 47 p. [14749]
87. Lippert, Robert D.; Hopkins, Harold H. 1950. Study of viable seeds in various habitats in mixed prairie. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science. 53(3): 355-364. [1461]
105. Rasmussen, G. Allen; McPherson, Guy R.; Wright, Henry A. 1986. Prescribed burning juniper communities in Texas. Management Note 10. Lubbock, TX: Texas Tech University, College of Agricultural Sciences. 5 p. [4043]
120. Stinson, Kenneth J.; Wright, Henry A. 1969. Temperatures of headfires in the southern mixed prairie of Texas. Journal of Range Management. 22(3): 169-174. [2257]
131. Vincent, Dwain W. 1992. The sagebrush/grasslands of the upper Rio Puerco Area, New Mexico. Rangelands. 14(5): 268-271. [19698]
140. Young, James A.; Evans, Raymond A. 1981. Demography and fire history of a western juniper stand. Journal of Range Management. 34(6): 501-505. [2659]
82. Kucera, Clair L. 1981. Grasslands and fire. In: Mooney, H. A.; Bonnicksen, T. M.; Christensen, N. L.; [and others], technical coordinators. FIRE REGIMES and ecosystem properties: Proceedings of the conference; 1978 December 11-15; Honolulu, HI. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-26. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 90-111. [4389]

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Regeneration Processes

More info for the term: presence

Regeneration is accomplished by seed which sets May to August [51] and by tillering from residual plant parts [123]. A prolific seed producer [31,34,50,60,91], one panicle of sand dropseed has yielded 10,000 seeds [22]. Sand dropseed produces small seed (5,298,000 seeds/lb) [4]. During seed maturation, the upper leaf sheath partially encloses the inflorescence. As the sheath weathers away, seed is disseminated [41]. Weathering of the previous growing season's leaf sheath and dispersal of seed may continue after new growth begins [31]. Rabbits may also be involved in dissemination of seed [21,108].

Contribution of seed to the seed bank is well documented, even within sites where sand dropseed is currently missing [50,110] or low in coverage [29,101]. This large contribution to the seed bank, both within and outside of sand dropseed communities, is consistent with the small seed size and wind dispersal [34]. An evaluation in western Iowa observed a large contribution of viable seed to the seed bank of a deciduous woodland (Cornus and Ulnus spp.) downhill from a ridge top grassland [110].

The number of viable seeds produced and relative seedling vigor are extremely variable for sand dropseed [1,32,39,76,110]. An evaluation in Colorado reported excellent germination and rapid growth [32]. Other studies have found sub-optimal germination and seedling response [39,76]. Compared to other species within the Kansas mixed-grass prairie, sand dropseed produces larger numbers of seed during periods of water stress [22]. In general, seedlings are usually slow to develop [6] but are persistent and drought resistant [6,60].

Studies evaluating germination cues recognize several methods to increase germination. Pricking seeds and scarifying with coarse sand helps germination [74]. Trampling by cattle provides another form of physical scarification. Good response was seen in burned blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima spp.) areas aerially seeded and then trampled by cattle [67].

A warm temperature germination requirement suggests seedling emergence and survival are related to late spring environmental conditions [68]. Alternating temperatures between cold and warm gives the best germination responses. The presence of light in conjunction with alternating temperatures also increases germination percentages. For specific temperatures and alternation times please see references [112,114].

In the Nebraska sandhills, the highest germination percent came from seeds within the top 2 inches (5cm) of the soil [101].

References:

1. Abrams, Marc D. 1988. Effects of burning regime on buried seed banks and canopy coverage in a Kansas tallgrass prairie. The Southwestern Naturalist. 33(1): 65-70. [4415]
22. Brown, H. Ray. 1943. Growth and seed yields of native prairie plants in various habitats of the mixed-prairie. Transactions, Kansas Academy of Science. 46: 87-99. [26146]
31. Cook, C. Wayne; Stoddart, L. A.; Harris, Lorin E. 1954. The nutritive value of winter range plants in the Great Basin as determined with digestion trials with sheep. Bulletin 372. Logan, UT: Utah State University, Agricultural Experiment Station. 56 p. [682]
4. Allison, Chris. 1988. Seeding New Mexico rangeland. Circular 525. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, Cooperative Extension Service. 15 p. [11830]
6. Anderson, Darwin; Hamilton, Louis P.; Reynolds, Hudson G.; Humphrey, Robert R. 1953. Reseeding desert grassland ranges in southern Arizona. Bulletin 249. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Agricultural Experiment Station. 32 p. [4439]
21. Brown, H. Leo. 1947. Coaction of jack rabbit, cottontail, and vegetation in a mixed prairie. Transactions, Kansas Academy of Science. 50(1): 28-44. [35543]
29. Coffin, D. P.; Lauenroth, W. K. 1989. Small scale disturbances and successional dynamics in a shortgrass plant community: interactions of disturbance characteristics. Phytologia. 67(3): 258-286. [34887]
32. Costello, David F. 1944. Natural revegetation of abandoned plowed land in the mixed prairie association of northeastern Colorado. Ecology. 25(3): 312-326. [25703]
34. Coupland, Robert T. 1958. The effects of fluctuations in weather upon the grasslands of the Great Plains. Botanical Review. 24(5): 273-317. [12502]
39. Eddleman, Lee E.; Meinhardt, Patricia L. 1981. Seed viability and seedling vigor in selected prairie plants. In: Stuckey, Ronald L.; Reese, Karen J., eds. The Prairie Peninsula--in the "shadow" of Transeau: Proceedings, 6th North American prairie conference; 1978 August 12-17; Columbus, OH. Ohio Biological Survey Biological Notes No. 15. Columbus, OH: Ohio State University, College of Biological Sciences: 213-217. [3410]
41. Faber-Langendoen, Don; Maycock, Paul F. 1994. A vegetation analysis of tallgrass prairie in southern Ontario. In: Wickett, Robert G.; Lewis, Patricia Dolan; Woodliffe, Allen; Pratt, Paul, eds. Spirit of the land, our prairie legacy: Proceedings, 13th North American prairie conference; 1992 August 6-9; Windsor, ON. Windsor, ON: Department of Parks and Recreation: 17-32. [24674]
50. Goss, W. L. 1924. The vitality of buried seeds. Journal of Agricultural Research. 29(7): 349-362. [35541]
51. Gould, Frank W. 1978. Common Texas grasses. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press. 267 p. [5035]
60. Higgins, Kenneth F.; Kruse, Arnold D.; Piehl, James L. 1989. Effects of fire in the Northern Great Plains. Ext. Circ. EC-761. Brookings, SD: South Dakota State University, Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. 47 p. [14749]
67. Hughes, Lee E. 1985. Is wildfire really bad? Rangelands. 7(3): 111-113. [1202]
68. Humphrey, L. David; Schupp, Eugene W. 1999. Temporal patterns of seeding emergence and early survival of Great Basin perennial plant species. The Great Basin Naturalist. 59(1): 35-49. [29654]
74. Jackson, Carola V. 1928. Seed germination in certain New Mexico range grasses. Botanical Gazette. 86: 270-294. [3688]
76. Judd, B. I.; Jackson, M. L. 1939. Natural succession of vegetation on abandoned farm lands in the Rosebud soil area of western Nebraska. Journal of the American Society of Agronomy. 31(6): 541-557. [29788]
91. Morris, H. E.; Booth, W. E.; Payne, G. F.; Stitt, R. E. 1950. Important grasses on Montana ranges. Bull. No. 470. Bozeman, MT: Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. 52 p. [5520]
108. Riegel, Andrew. 1942. Some observations of the food coactions of rabbits in western Kansas during periods of stress. Transactions, Kansas Academy of Science. 45: 369-373. [35542]
110. Rosburg, Thomas R.; Jurik, Thomas W.; Glenn-Lewin, David C. 1994. Seed banks of communities in the Iowa Loess Hills: ecology & potential contribution to restoration of native grassland. In: Wickett, Robert G.; Lewis, Patricia Dolan; Woodliffe, Allen; Pratt, Paul, eds. Spirit of the land, our prairie legacy: Proceedings, 13th North American prairie conference; 1992 August 6-9; Windsor, ON. Windsor, ON: Department of Parks and Recreation: 221-237. [24697]
112. Sabo, David G.; Johnson, Gordon V.; Martin, William C.; Aldon, Earl F. 1979. Germination requirements of 19 species of arid land plants. Res. Pap. RM-210. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 26 p. [2047]
114. Sayers, Richard L. 1968. Germination requirements of sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) and sand lovegrass (Eragrostis trichodes) Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University. 224 p. Dissertation. [30600]
123. Stubbendieck, James; Hatch, Stephan L.; Butterfield, Charles H. 1992. North American range plants. 4th ed. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. 493 p. [25162]
101. Perez, Claudio J.; Waller, Steven S.; Moser, Lowell E.; [and others]. 1998. Seedbank characteristics of a Nebraska sandhills prairie. Journal of Range Management. 51(1): 52-62. [28570]

Source:

License:

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

More info for the term: hemicryptophyte

RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM [106]:
Hemicryptophyte

References:

106. Raunkiaer, C. 1934. The life forms of plants and statistical plant geography. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 632 p. [2843]

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Life Form

More info for the term: graminoid

Graminoid

Source:

License:

Successional Status

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Sand dropseed is a colonizer of drought disturbed and previously cultivated lands. Invasion and establishment upon previously abandoned cultivated lands in the southern plains has been observed [132]. Within semi-arid mixed prairie landscapes, sand dropseed is one of the 1st to colonize denuded sandy to silty soil rangelands [60]. Sand dropseed was the principle grass within a field 14 years out of cultivation in Colorado [32]. Sand dropseed is also good at colonizing open spaces associated with heavy grazing [95].

In Texas, sand dropseed is a common invader of short-grass and mid-height grass mesquite/buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) communities [11].

References:

11. Bedunah, Donald J.; Sosebee, Ronald E. 1984. Forage response of a mesquite-buffalograss community following range rehabilitation. Journal of Range Management. 37(6): 483-487. [5797]
32. Costello, David F. 1944. Natural revegetation of abandoned plowed land in the mixed prairie association of northeastern Colorado. Ecology. 25(3): 312-326. [25703]
60. Higgins, Kenneth F.; Kruse, Arnold D.; Piehl, James L. 1989. Effects of fire in the Northern Great Plains. Ext. Circ. EC-761. Brookings, SD: South Dakota State University, Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. 47 p. [14749]
95. Nelson, Enoch W. 1934. The influence of precipitation and grazing upon black grama grass range. Technical Bulletin No. 409. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 32 p. [4175]
132. Voigt, P. W.; Oaks, Wendall. 1985. Lovegrasses, dropseeds, and other desert and subtropical grasses. In: Range plant improvement in western North America: Proceedings of a symposium at the annual meeting of the Society for Range Management; 1985 February 14; Salt Lake City, UT. Denver, CO: Society for Range Management: 70-79. [4387]

Source:

License:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

Immediate Effect of Fire

Sand dropseed is consumed rapidly by fire [120]. Individual plants are badly damaged [60,105] to completely killed by fire, with younger plants suffering less than older plants [64].

References:

60. Higgins, Kenneth F.; Kruse, Arnold D.; Piehl, James L. 1989. Effects of fire in the Northern Great Plains. Ext. Circ. EC-761. Brookings, SD: South Dakota State University, Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. 47 p. [14749]
64. Hopkins, Harold; Albertson, F. W.; Riegel, Andrew. 1948. Some effects of burning upon a prairie in west-central Kansas. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science. 51(1): 131-141. [1191]
105. Rasmussen, G. Allen; McPherson, Guy R.; Wright, Henry A. 1986. Prescribed burning juniper communities in Texas. Management Note 10. Lubbock, TX: Texas Tech University, College of Agricultural Sciences. 5 p. [4043]
120. Stinson, Kenneth J.; Wright, Henry A. 1969. Temperatures of headfires in the southern mixed prairie of Texas. Journal of Range Management. 22(3): 169-174. [2257]

Source:

License:

Cyclicity

Phenology

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

More info for the term: phenology

Phenology of sand dropseed corresponds to water availability. Sand dropseed has almost immediate response to available soil moisture [26]. In general, sand dropseed starts growth late spring [24,103,130] with seed maturing late summer to early fall [22,123]. This is slightly different in arid habitats. In the Chihuahuan desert of New Mexico, flowering was observed to begin in August with fruiting occurring in October [78]. Development occurs rapidly during periods of abundant moisture [26] with induced dormancy during periods of drought between rains [26]. Large amounts of late summer precipitation provide for the possibility of 2 or more reproductive phases [15].

References:

22. Brown, H. Ray. 1943. Growth and seed yields of native prairie plants in various habitats of the mixed-prairie. Transactions, Kansas Academy of Science. 46: 87-99. [26146]
15. Blaisdell, James P.; Holmgren, Ralph C. 1984. Managing Intermountain rangelands--salt-desert shrub ranges. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-163. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 52 p. [464]
24. Burzlaff, Donald F. 1962. A soil and vegetation inventory and analysis of three Nebraska Sandhills range sites. Research Bulletin 206. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station. 33 p. [21600]
26. Canfield, R. H. 1948. Perennial grass composition as an indicator of condition of Southwestern mixed grass ranges. Ecology. 29: 190-204. [5308]
78. Kemp, Paul R. 1983. Phenological patterns of Chihuahuan desert plants in relation to the timing of water availability. Journal of Ecology. 71: 427-436. [5054]
103. Quinn, James A.; Ward, Richard T. 1969. Ecological differentiation in sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) Ecological Monographs. 39(1): 61-78. [30452]
123. Stubbendieck, James; Hatch, Stephan L.; Butterfield, Charles H. 1992. North American range plants. 4th ed. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. 493 p. [25162]
130. Vallentine, John F. 1961. Important Utah range grasses. Extension Circular 281. Logan, UT: Utah State University. 48 p. [2937]

Source:

License:

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD)

Molecular Biology

Barcode data: Sporobolus cryptandrus

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

Source:

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Rights Holder:

Barcode of Life Data Systems

Statistics of barcoding coverage: Sporobolus cryptandrus

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 9
Specimens with Barcodes: 9
Species With Barcodes: 1

Source:

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD)

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Rights Holder:

Barcode of Life Data Systems

Conservation Status

National NatureServe Conservation Status

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Source:

NatureServe

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Rights Holder:

NatureServe

NatureServe Conservation Status

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Source:

NatureServe

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Rights Holder:

NatureServe

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

Rights Holder:

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

Management

Management considerations

More info for the terms: frequency, presence

Abiotic and biotic environmental factors are important regulators of sand dropseed grazing response. Responses to grazing are variable, with increases, decreases and no changes reported [17,20,25,37,57,66,80,81,85,104,107,123,132]. A 59-year data set describing grazing responses in a shadscale community found sand dropseed coverage more responsive to climate and plant associates than grazing pressure. Increase in sand dropseed coverage corresponded spatially with lower coverage of winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) and budsage (Artemisia spinescens) [5]. Sand dropseed response to domestic sheep winter grazing within the intermountain rangelands of Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada was directly related to the relative availability of other palatable grasses. An indirect relationship was seen between sand dropseed use and the presence of Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) [73]. A 12-year evaluation within the same region also found a direct positive response for sand dropseed to spring and summer precipitation [73]. Overall, sand dropseed shows good recovery to grazing in water stressed habitats [24,57]. Within arid shrublands, sand dropseed response to different grazing regimes is directly related to previous and current summer precipitation [97]. In the Nebraskan sandhills a direct positive correlation between fall moisture and regrowth was observed [47].

The New Mexico State University Extension recommends the following for seeding New Mexico rangelands with sand dropseed [4]:

Seeding Rate (lbs/acre)
Seeds/ft2(@ 1 lb/acre) Drilling 40'' rows Broadcast or drilling (20'' or less) Broadcast critical area Soil adaptation 123.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 sandy, loam

Sand dropseed shows variable responses to herbicides used for control of woody plant species. Tebuthiuron, used for sand shinnery oak control in Texas, had no effect on sand dropseed forage quality [14]. Similar response was observed using pelleted tebuthiuron to control big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) populations [88]. The use of 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid on a honey mesquite dominant habitat in Texas had no deleterious effects on sand dropseed populations. Overall production was greater in herbicide treated areas [75]. Picloram applied from June to October for control of redberry juniper (Juniperus
erythrocarpa) in Texas reduced sand dropseed growth when spray came into direct contact with plants [117]. A similar study saw greater herbage yields under redberry juniper killed with picloram [52].

Sand dropseed does not compete well within pinyon-juniper (Pinus-Juniperus spp.) woodlands. Three years after the removal of pinyon-juniper, the overall production of sand dropseed increased by 31 times the original amount [28].

Sand dropseed does not respond well to severe soil disturbance. Spring discking within a mesquite rangeland of northwest Texas had significant deleterious effects (p &lt 0.05) upon sand dropseed coverage and frequency [133].

References:

37. Dittberner, Phillip L.; Olson, Michael R. 1983. The plant information network (PIN) data base: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. FWS/OBS-83/86. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 786 p. [806]
66. Houston, Walter R.; Woodward, R. R. 1966. Effects of stocking rates on range vegetation and beef cattle production in the Northern Great Plains. Technical Bulletin No. 1357. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 58 p. In cooperation with: Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. [4285]
4. Allison, Chris. 1988. Seeding New Mexico rangeland. Circular 525. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, Cooperative Extension Service. 15 p. [11830]
5. Alzerreca-Angelo, Humberto; Schupp, Eugene W.; Kitchen, Stanley G. 1998. Sheep grazing and plant cover dynamics of a shadscale community. Journal of Range Management. 51(2): 214-222. [28454]
14. Biondini, Mario; Pettit, R. D.; Jones, Virgil. 1986. Nutritive value of forages on sandy soils as affected by tebuthiuron. Journal of Range Management. 39(5): 396-399. [15597]
17. Bragg, Thomas B. 1978. Effects of burning, cattle grazing, and topography on vegetation of the choppy sands range site in the Nebraska Sandhills Prairie. In: Hyder, Donald N., ed. Proceedings, 1st international rangeland congress; 1978 August 14-18; Denver, CO. Denver, CO: Society for Range Management: 248-253. [4468]
20. Brock, John H.; Haas, R. H.; Shaver, J. C. 1978. Zonation of herbaceous vegetation associated with honey mesquite in North-central Texas. In: Hyder, Donald N., editor. Proceedings of the first international rangeland congress; 1978 August 14-18; Denver, CO. Denver, CO: Society for Range Management: 187-189. [5494]
24. Burzlaff, Donald F. 1962. A soil and vegetation inventory and analysis of three Nebraska Sandhills range sites. Research Bulletin 206. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station. 33 p. [21600]
25. Butler, Jack L.; Paintner, Kara J. 1991. Rangeland recovery potential: soil seed content and seed viability. In: Plumb, Glenn E., ed. University of Wyoming: National Park Service Research Center 15th annual report 1991. Laramie, WY: University of Wyoming: 130-135. [29951]
28. Clary, Warren P.; Jameson, Donald A. 1981. Herbage production following tree and shrub removal in the pinyon-juniper type of Arizona. Journal of Range Management. 34(2): 109-113. [642]
47. Frolik, A. L.; Shepherd, W. O. 1940. Vegetative composition and grazing capacity of a typical area of Nebraska sandhills rangeland. Research Bulletin No. 117. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Agricultural Experimental Station. 39 p. [5417]
52. Graves, Robbie G. 1971. Effects of redberry juniper control on understory vegetation. Lubbock, TX: Texas Tech University. 86 p. Thesis. [19988]
57. Herbel, Carlton H.; Anderson, Kling L. 1959. Response of true prairie vegetation on major Flint Hills range sites to grazing treatment. Ecological Monographs. 29(2): 171-186. [19]
73. Hutchings, Selar S.; Stewart, George. 1953. Increasing forage yields and sheep production on Intermountain winter ranges. Circular No. 925. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 63 p. [1227]
75. Jacoby, P. W.; Meadors, C. H.; Foster, M. A.; Hartmann, F. S. 1982. Honey mesquite control and forage response in Crane County, Texas. Journal of Range Management. 35: 424-426. [5465]
80. Kleiner, Edgar F. 1983. Successional trends in an ungrazed, arid grassland over a decade. Journal of Range Management. 36(1): 114-118. [21578]
81. Klipple, G. E.; Costello, David F. 1960. Vegetation and cattle responses to different intensities of grazing on short-grass ranges on the Central Great Plains. Technical Bulletin No. 1216. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 82 p. [4284]
85. Lewis, James K.; Van Dyne, George M.; Albee, Leslie R.; Whetzal, Frank W. 1956. Intensity of grazing: Its effect on livestock and forage production. Bulletin 459. Brookings, SD: South Dakota State College, Agricultural Experiment Station. 44 p. [11737]
88. McDaniel, Kirk C.; Balliette, John F. 1986. Control of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) with pelleted tebuthiuron. Weed Science. 34: 276-280. [1596]
97. Odgen, Phil R. 1975. Biological and environmental constraints for livestock production on arid shrublands. In: Hyder, D. N., ed. Arid shrublands--proceedings of the third workshop of the United States/Austrailia rangelands panel; 1973 March 26-April 5; Tuscon, Arizona. Denver,CO: Society for Range Management: 89-90. [1794]
104. Quinton, Dee A.; McLean, Alistair; Stout, Darryl G. 1982. Vegetative and reproductive growth of bluebunch wheatgrass in interior British Columbia. Journal of Range Management. 35(1): 46-51. [1927]
107. Reed, Merton J.; Peterson, Roald A. 1961. Vegetation, soil, and cattle responses to grazing on Northern Great Plains range. Tech. Bull. 1252. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 79 p. [4286]
117. Schuster, Joseph L. 1976. Redberry juniper control with picloram. Journal of Range Management. 29(6): 490-491. [19995]
123. Stubbendieck, James; Hatch, Stephan L.; Butterfield, Charles H. 1992. North American range plants. 4th ed. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. 493 p. [25162]
132. Voigt, P. W.; Oaks, Wendall. 1985. Lovegrasses, dropseeds, and other desert and subtropical grasses. In: Range plant improvement in western North America: Proceedings of a symposium at the annual meeting of the Society for Range Management; 1985 February 14; Salt Lake City, UT. Denver, CO: Society for Range Management: 70-79. [4387]
133. Webb, William M.; Guthery, Fred S. 1983. Response of wildlife food plants to spring discing of mesquite rangeland in northwest Texas. Journal of Range Management. 36(3): 351-353. [4344]

Source:

License:

Cultivars, improved and selected materials (and area of origin)

Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.

Source:

License:

Rights Holder:

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

Management

This grass increases on ranges that are closely grazed during summer.

Source:

License:

Rights Holder:

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

Benefits

Uses

Sand dropseed produces considerable forage that is fairly palatable to all livestock.

Source: