Sporobolus airoides Torr.

Stout perennial 4–10 dm, the base of the large clumps densely clothed with the shiny, cream-colored old sheaths; sheaths glabrous or slightly pilose at the upper corners; blades narrow and mostly involute, finely scaberulous above and ± hirsute near the base; panicle open, pyramidal, 12–40 × (5–)10–20 cm, sometimes partly enclosed at base in the uppermost sheath, the branches spreading, alternate or irregularly disposed, bearing spikelets chiefly toward the tips; first glume 0.7–1.2+ mm, the second 1.5–2+ mm; lemma 1.8–2.5(–3) mm; palea about equaling the lemma; anthers 1.2–1.5 mm; 2n=ca 80, ca 90, 108, 126. Low-lying, alkaline meadows; widespread in interior w. U.S. and n. Mex., e. to the Dakotas, Mo., and Okla. Ours is the widespread var. airoides.

Saline flats, prairies and sands. Meadows and valleys, especially in moderately saline soils; at elevations from 800-2,000 metres.

The seeds are parched, ground and eaten dry or made into mush.

Can be grown by divisions or seedlings.