Rabbitfoot Grass
Polypogon monspeliensis
Observed in May 2008 along Mesquite Wash, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA.
ANNUAL: A medium-sized annual grass. Often grows in dense clumps of
individual plants. Most plants are about 70 cm
tall.
INFLORESCENCE: The broad, fluffy spikes indeed resemble green rabbit's
feet. Blooms mid to late spring.
LEAVES: Blades are about ½ cm wide and 10 to 20 cm
long.
RANGE: This non-native grass has been distributed widely across North
America. In the Sonoran Desert it is restricted to moist soils in riparian
habitat.
FRUIT: Numerous small spikelets with numerous bristles and each with a
long, soft awn.
UNARMED