Schismus arabicus, S. barbatus (mediterranean grass)

Schismus arabicus, S. babatus

Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Schismus arabicus, S. barbatus (mediterranean grass) are annual grasses (family Poaceae) found in central and southern California, particularly in disturbed areas and deserts. They contribute to the conversion of desert shrubland into annual grassland by carrying fire across open areas, where they ignite and kill native shrubs.

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Limited

Cal-IPC Resources on Schismus arabicus, S. barbatus

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Assessment Form (pdf) - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• Species account from Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands - Includes biology and management information.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. Each issue is available as a pdf. List of articles on Schismus arabicus and S. barbatus.
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Schismus arabicus and S. barbatus.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• Brooks, M. and K. Berry (1999). Ecology and management of alien annual plants in the California desert. CalEPPC News. 7: 4-6.
• Holt, J. S. (2005). Invasive plants research at UC Riverside. Cal-IPC News. 13: 12-13.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Bell, M. D. and E. B. Allen. (2011). The interaction of soil surface gravel content and nitrogen deposition on the seedbank of the invasive grasses Schismus arabicus and Schismus barbatus in the northwest Sonoran Desert. Cal-IPC 2011 Symposium. Tahoe City, CA, California Invasive Plant Council.
• Brooks, M. L. and T. C. Esque (1999). Alien grasses in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Synposium '99. Sacramento, CA.
• Clines, J., J. DiTomaso, et al. (2004). Grasses working group. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.
• Devender, T. R. V., R. S. Frlger, et al. (1997). Exotic plants in the Sonoran desert region, Arizona and Sonora. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '97. Concord, CA.

Other Resources on Schismus arabicus, S. barbatus

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• The Nature Conservancy Management Summary - Information compiled by TNC land managers. Photos included for some species.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.

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