Pleuraphis jamesii (Torr.) Benth.

By Bea Cooley, Native Plants Class, 2003
Common names: James’ galleta, galleta grass
Family: Poaceae
Synonymy: Pleuraphis jamesii Benth., H. sericea Benth., Pleuraphis sericea Nutt. (4)
Etymology: named for August St. Hilaire, a French naturalist and Edwin James, US naturalist and physician who, on Long’s expedition to the Rocky Mountains in 1818-1820, became one of the first non-natives to climb James’ Peak, which later became known as Pike’s Peak. (6)

Identification (1,2,3,4)
Growth form: Perennial, 1.5 – 4 dm tall, erect, with a much-branched base that is often somewhat decumbent, rhizomatous
Roots:
Stem: Nodes have fine short hairs and the sheath is slightly rough due to presence of rough epidermal cells or short hairs
Leaves: Flat to folded, 1.5-3 mm wide and 2-5 cm long, becoming rolled inward toward the tip. ligule is 1-2 mm, appears to be torn and has long hairs
Inflorescence/flowers: Spikes, with several florets each, are 3-5 cm long and the persistent stem is decidedly zig-zaggy after florets have dropped
Fruit:
Similar species: Hilaria muticus, found below the Mogollon Rim differentiated by glume shape

Ecology
Life history: Green and nutritious May-August.
Native/introduced: Native
Photosynthetic pathway: C4 (5)
Distribution: Dry, sandy plateaus in Arizona in Coconino, Apache, Navajo and Mojave counties i.e. above the Mogollon Rim, from 4,500 to 7,000 feet. Also found in CA, CO, KS, OK, NM, NV, TX, UT, and WY.

Uses
Important forage grass because of its distribution and abundance in northeast Arizona. It is nutritious when green, but almost valueless when dry. Excellent for reclamation projects, as roots extend to 6 feet and the plant is resistant to invasion by grasses such as Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) (5)

References
1. Ruyle, George B. and Deborah J. Young, Eds. Arizona Range Grasses, 2003, Cooperative Extension, The University of Arizona, Tucson, p. 114-115.

2. Copple, R.F. and C. P. Pase, 1967. A Vegetative Key to some Common Arizona Range Grasses, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, US Forest Service Research Paper RM-27, p. 45.

3. Cronquist, Arthur, Holmgren, Arthur H., Holmgren Noel H., Reveal, James L and Holmgren Patricia K., 1977. Intermountain Flora, Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A., Volume 6, Columbia University Press, New York, pp. 449-450.

4. USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

5. http://www.Ehleringer.net/Biology_5460/veg/topics

6. Blakely, Larry. http://www.csupomona.edu/~larryblakely/whoname/who_jmes.htm