The long awns at the top of this plant resemble a short needle and thread.
NPS/ Mark Draper
Native to the monument, needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata) is a perennial bunch grass that can be found above elevations of 3500 ft. It grows approximately 24 inches tall and has 8 inch flat leaves. Needle and thread gets its name from the long twisted awns (4-5 inches) that grow from the grass. When detached from the grass the awn looks somewhat like a short needle with a long thread attached to it.
Often used for preventing wind erosion, this quick establishing grass is very drought tolerant. The grass is good forage before the awn develops however, once the sharped-pointed seeds develop they may work themselves into the tongue of a foraging animal. In the fall needle and thread becomes good forage once again as the awns drop to the ground.
Last updated: January 14, 2020
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Mailing Address:
Public Lands Visitor Center
345 East Riverside Drive
Saint George,
UT
84790
Phone:
(435) 688-3200
This federal interagency office is staffed by employees from the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S National Forest Service, and by dedicated volunteers from the local community. Phones are answered Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The visitor center is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and all federal holidays.
