alkali sacaton

Sporobolus airoides (alkali sacaton) is a drought tolerant, warm season bunch grass. In late summer, the mounds of foliage are topped with a haze of pink flowers. Once these fade to seeds they attract many birds, especially including sparrows in our garden. This plant is native to much of North America west of the Mississippi river. It is very similar to the prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) that is common in our area and in Lurie Garden, but has slightly taller flower stalks and can take significantly drier conditions.