Needle-and-Thread Grass

Hesperostipa comata

Plant type:

Grass

Lifecycle:

Perennial

Growing season:

Cool

Cover:

Low

Seedling rate:

10-14

Soil

Acceptable soil conditions:

Loam,

Sand,

Gravel

Soil Conditions:

Alkaline

CaCO3 tolerant

Location

Min elevation:

1000

Max elevation:

11000

Counties:

Carson City,

Churchill,

Clark,

Douglas,

Elko,

Humboldt,

Eureka,

Esmeralda,

Lander,

Lincoln,

Lyon,

Mineral,

Nye,

Washoe,

White Pine

Reproduction & Growth

Growth rate:

High

Germination overall:

Low

Germination rate:

Fast

Reproduction:

High

Establishment:

Low

Lifespan:

Short

Survival:

Low

Ecological

Best suited for these site conditions:

Cold

Disturbance

Fire

Best suited for these management goals:

Drought resilience

Erosion control

Forage production

Wildlife habitat

Additional Information

Warning:

Commercial availability:

Commonly available

Citations:

Hassel & Reed 1985, Link et al. 2011, USDA 2025.