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(Hopia obtusa)
Vine Mesquite (Hopia obtusa)
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Cleveland Powell
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Cleveland Powell
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Cleveland Powell | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Cleveland Powell | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-09-27T12:58:01-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Hopia obtusa, commonly known as Vine Mesquite, is a deciduous perennial grass native to the grasslands, open woodlands, and desert scrub of the Central and Southwestern USA, as well as Northern and Central Mexico. It typically grows with stems ranging from 20 to 80 centimeters (7.9 to 31.5 inches) tall. This grass is characterized by its long, creeping rhizomes or shallow rhizomes with swollen, villous nodes, which allow it to spread effectively in its native habitat. The flowering season extends from May through October, with less conspicuous flowers that are adapted to the harsh conditions of its native range.
Vine Mesquite is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to stabilize soil, making it a suitable choice for erosion control in arid and semi-arid regions. It is also used in restoration projects and as a forage grass due to its resilience. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires high amounts of water for optimal growth, although it is drought-tolerant once established. It prefers soils with fast or medium drainage. Gardeners should be aware that its rhizomes can be aggressive, potentially making it invasive in some settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Vine Mesquite is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to stabilize soil, making it a suitable choice for erosion control in arid and semi-arid regions. It is also used in restoration projects and as a forage grass due to its resilience. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires high amounts of water for optimal growth, although it is drought-tolerant once established. It prefers soils with fast or medium drainage. Gardeners should be aware that its rhizomes can be aggressive, potentially making it invasive in some settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Butterfly Garden, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Grasslands, open woodlands, and desert scrub
Other Names
Common Names: Vine-Mesquite, Vine-Mesquite Grass
Scientific Names: , Panicum obtusum, Hopia obtusa, Panicum polygonoides, Brachiaria obtusa, Oplismenus obtusus, Panicum culicinum, Panicum repente,
GBIF Accepted Name: Hopia obtusa (Kunth) Zuloaga & Morrone