Heteropogon contortus (L.) Beauv. ex Roem. and Schult, 
tanglehead 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, perennial bunch grass. 
Height: 2 to 3 feet. 
Leaf blade: Flat or folded ; narrow. 
Leaf sheath: Smooth; compressed or keeled; mostly basal. 
Seedhead: Solitary raceme 1-1/2 to 3 inches long, one-sided; 
spikelets sessile; glumes have long, black, tangled awns at 
maturity. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth starts in late spring. If moisture is adequate, continues 
to grow until August when seedheads start to mature. Awns on 
seed twist and untwist as moisture changes. This characteristic 
and the needle shape of the seed assist in planting it in the soil. 
Mature plant is a reddish color in fall. 
DISTRIBUTION. 
Southern Arizona and Texas and Cape Sable, Florida. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows best on immature soils on rocky hillsides and in can- 
yons. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Tanglehead is grazed by all livestock. In Hawaiian Islands, 
where it is called pili, it is used by natives to thatch grass huts. 
This grass will not stand continuous grazing, although close 
grazing is recommended to reduce injury to sheep from awns. If 
grazed by sheep, grazing should be deferred 60 to 90 days while 
seed ripen and fall to the ground. 
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