Mesa Dropseed

Sporobolus flexuosus

Physical Characteristics

Sporobolus flexuosus is a PERENNIAL. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

South-western N. America - Texas to Utah, Nevada, California and Mexico.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed - raw or cooked[257]. It can be ground into a flour and used as a gruel or can be mixed with cereal flours when making bread, biscuits etc[46, 61, 105, 161]. The grain falls free from the chaff when it is fully ripe[216]. The seed is very small and fiddly to utilize[K]. A famine food, it is normally only used when other foods are in short supply[257].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known