Family: Poaceae
Compound: Lep cri
Synonyms: Chloris crinita, Chloris mendocina, Chloris trichodes, Trichloris blanchardiana, Trichloris crinita, Trichloris crinita var. triflora, Trichloris crinita var. typica, Trichloris fasciculata, Trichloris mendocina, Trichloris mendocina f. blanchardiana, Trichloris verticillata
Geographic Origin: AZ, NM, TX, Northern MX, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Characteristics: A bunch-forming grass up to about 3ft (1m) in height. Inflorescences are a cluster of hairy, finger-like spikes on the end of the stem.
Natural History: Grows up to 4,000ft (1219m) in elevation on slopes, along dry washes or in canyons. Blooms summer to fall.
Cultivation Notes: Rarely available at local nurseries. Lightly rake seeds into soil surface in early spring and keep moist. It provides food for granivorous birds, grazers, and offers shelter for small animals which makes it an excellent choice for landscaping and wildlife gardens.
For plant propagation information, click here
Ethnobotany: Unknown
Citations:
SEINet Arizona - New Mexico Chapter
https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=Leptochloa+crini…
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/905137-Leptochloa-crinita