Star Seed

Alkali Sacaton is a warm season grass of medium height. It is long-lived. It grows in large coarse bunches with culms from 1 to 3 feet tall.

AREA OF ADAPTATION: This grass has a wide geographic range in the Western United States. This native grass is found in areas characterized by salt, alkali, drought, and occasional cloudbursts from Canada to Mexico, especially on alkali flats and rocky open plains. In areas where the water reaches 4 to 8 feet, Alkali Sacaton produces abundant forage.

PLANTING: The seed is best planted with small/legume seed boxes for metering purposes or with a grass drill. Drill seed at 1/4 to 1/2-inch depth. Plant the seed at a rate of about 1 to 1 1/2 lbs. PLS per acre for rangeland pasture. Plant seed when soil temperatures average 80 to 90 degrees and when there is maximum chance for effective precipitation within 15 days.

MANAGEMENT: Alkali Sacaton can be grazed seasonally or year long. It may be cut for hay. It is used alone and with mixtures to stabilize disturbed lands. No grazing should take place during seedling establishment. It is readily eaten by horses and cattle during the growing season but it becomes coarse and tough with maturity. Best grazing times on mature stands are in late spring and summer. Rotation grazing and leaving a minimum 4-inch stubble length is recommended.

SEEDING RATE: 1 to 1 ½ PLS/ACRE

NUMBER OF SEEDS: 1,750,000 per lb. 

Click Here to see the USDA Plant Guide

IMAGE: Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. 1992. Western wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. West Region, Sacramento.