Mediterranean Grass

Schismus barbatus

Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona. May 2006. A full resolution image is hosted at Wikimedia.

WINTER-SPRING ANNUAL: Low growing tufted grass mostly less than 20 cm tall.

LEAVES: Very narrow blades. Notice long hairs at ligules.

RANGE: Abundant in many areas of the Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Mohave Deserts of Arizona, Sonora, California especially where original vegetation has been damaged/removed, for example on vacant urban lots and road sides. Exotic invasive with a considerable impact on fire ecology. Schismus arabicus is very similar and is also called Mediterranean Grass and has also been introduced in the southwestern deserts.

FLOWERS: Small spikelets on narrow spiked inflorescence.

Poaceae -- Grass Family

Signal Mountain, Maricopa Co., Arizona. 5 March 2017.

More Information:

• SEINET - Southwest Environmental Information Network
• USDA Plant Profile
• ITIS Taxonomic Report
• Google Images
• Google Scholar Literature Search