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PRE — Plant Risk Evaluator

Cutandia memphitica

Common Name(s)
Memphis grass
Synonym(s)
Cutandia dichotoma var. memphitica, Cutandia scleropoides, Dactylis memphitica, Festuca divaricata var. memphitica , Festuca memphitica, Scleropoa caspica, Scleropoa memphitica

Is this plant a cultivar?  No

Life History:  Annual

Growth Form:  grass

 Egypt, Libya, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation [Dagestan], Uzbekistan, Spain, and Italy

Cutandia memphitica (Spreng.) K. Richt., Poaceae, commonly known as memphis grass, or semma, is an annual grass native to Egypt, Libya, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation [Dagestan], Uzbekistan, Spain, and Italy. Plants are tufted annuals that grow 4-35cm high, procumbent to erect and somewhat rigid. Leaf blades are 2-10cm long with inflated sheaths. Inflorescences are sparingly branched at the panicle, creating a geometric appearance, and partly enclosed in the uppermost sheath. It is associated with sandy soils, both stabilized and active dunes, and valued as fodder for sheep. It is not reported as invasive or naturalized anywhere. It was first collected in California in western San Bernardino Co. in 1933 and then not reported again until 2020 and 2024 in eastern San Bernardino Co. at the 29 Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center.

None.

External Resources
GBIF Species Page
USDA Plants Database page
Tropicos Species Page
US National Germplasm Database
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