TEXAS WINTERGRASS ROOTS

This is one tough grass seed to harvest and clean! Grains are big and heavy like wheat, but with a twisted, 3 inch long awn and a barb at one end. As youngsters we knew this as speargrass. Found all across Texas in better bottomland soils and mesquite flats. Lush green growth, up to 18 inches tall.

"With dew in the mornings or rain at anytime the awn is moistened and begins twisting and as the day heats up the dew dries the awn begins to dry as well coiling in the opposite direction. The seed is attempting to screw itself into the ground for germination." -Ricky Linex NRCS, author of Range Plants of North Central Texas