Grasses Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
 Most of the green in the near-view is Big Galleta Grass |
General: Big Galleta Grass (Hilaria rigida) is the common, large, upright grass that grows in individual clumps (bunches) in the deserts around Las Vegas. Big Galleta is a big bunchgrass that grows to about 3.5-feet tall and just as wide. Leaves are long and narrow. Stems grow erect with long (to 6 inches), open seedheads. The 0.5-inch-long spikelets radiate from the end of the spike. After the seeds disperse, the end of the stem (rachis) is bent in a zig-zag pattern, which is unique to this species in our area. Big Galleta Grass is a common component of vegetation associations in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zone. This species is particularly common around the entrance to the Scenic Loop Drive at Red Rocks NCA. Family: Grass (Poaceae). Other Names: Pleuraphis rigida. Plant Form: Perennial grass. Grows in bunches. |
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Height: About 3 feet. Stems: The end of the stem (rachis) is bent in a zig-zag pattern. Leaves: Leaves are long and narrow. Flowers: Stems grow erect with long (to 6 inches), open seedheads. The 0.5-inch-long spikelets radiate from the end of the spike. Seeds: Habitat: Sandy and rocky soils Elevation: To about 5,000 feet. Distribution: Southern California to Utah and south into northwestern Mexico. Comments: |
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 Maturing seeds |
 Below the seeds, the rachis is bent in a zig-zag pattern |
 After the seeds disperse, the rachis can be seen to have a zig-zag pattern |
 After the seeds disperse, the rachis can be seen to have a zig-zag pattern |
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
; Last updated 240911
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