Trichachne calif or nica (Benth.) Chase, Arizona cottontop 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, perennial bunch grass. 
Height : 1-1/2 to 2 feet. 
Leaf blade: Flat; narrow; usually less than 5 inches long. 
Leaf sheath: Covered with small hair. 
Stem: Swollen base, scaly and hairy. 
Seedhead: Open panicle; second glume and sterile lemma 
covered with long white (occasionally purple) hair, giving 
a silky cottony appearance after seed ripen. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Grows rapidly following late spring and summer rains and con- 
tinues to grow as long as moisture is available. Reproduces pri- 
marily from seed. Usually produces a good seed crop ; seed remain 
viable as long as 10 years. Seldom grows in pure stands. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Arizona to Colorado, south to Texas and northern Mexico. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows best on gravelly and sandy loam soils. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Arizona cottontop is grazed by cattle, horses, and sometimes by 
sheep and goats. It is most palatable when green. Cures well on 
stem and provides dry forage for cattle. It has been used in range 
seedings in south Texas following brush control. 
To keep Arizona cottontop vigorous and maintain it in the 
plant community, defer grazing 60 to 70 days every 2 to 3 years 
before seed maturity. No more than 50 percent of current year’s 
growth by weight should be grazed off. 
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