Arabian Schismus: What Every Desert Gardener Should Know
If you’re gardening in the American Southwest, you’ve likely encountered Arabian schismus (Schismus arabicus) whether you know it or not. This small annual grass might look innocent enough, but there’s more to this desert dweller than meets the eye.
What is Arabian Schismus?
Arabian schismus is a non-native annual grass that has made itself quite at home in the southwestern United States. Originally from the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and Middle East, this adaptable little grass has established populations across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, where it reproduces on its own without any human help.
As a graminoid (that’s botanist-speak for grass-like plant), Arabian schismus forms small, delicate tufts with fine-textured foliage. It’s part of the grass family and completes its entire life cycle in a single year, making it what we call an annual.
Should You Plant Arabian Schismus in Your Garden?
Here’s the short answer: probably not intentionally. While Arabian schismus isn’t necessarily a garden villain, it’s not exactly a garden hero either. This grass tends to show up in disturbed areas and can become weedy, meaning it might pop up where you don’t want it rather than where you do.
Instead of planting Arabian schismus, consider these native alternatives that offer similar fine-textured appeal:
- Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) – gorgeous native with distinctive seed heads
- Buffalo grass (Poëochloë dactyloides) – tough, drought-tolerant native lawn alternative
- Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) – elegant native with airy seed plumes
Growing Conditions and Characteristics
If Arabian schismus does find its way into your landscape (and it might, whether you invite it or not), here’s what you can expect:
This hardy little grass thrives in disturbed, arid soils and is impressively drought tolerant. It’s adapted to USDA hardiness zones 8-11, which explains why it’s found its niche in the hot, dry regions of the Southwest. Arabian schismus doesn’t ask for much – it’s perfectly content in poor soils that might challenge other plants.
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
As a wind-pollinated grass, Arabian schismus doesn’t offer much in the way of pollinator support – no showy flowers or nectar here. Its wildlife benefits are minimal compared to native grass species that have co-evolved with local wildlife over thousands of years.
The Bottom Line for Desert Gardeners
While Arabian schismus isn’t necessarily harmful, it’s not particularly beneficial either. If you’re looking to create a water-wise, wildlife-friendly landscape, you’ll get much more bang for your buck (and water) by choosing native grasses that support local ecosystems.
If you do spot Arabian schismus in your garden, there’s no need to panic – it’s not aggressively invasive. However, if you’re trying to establish native plant communities or maintain a tidy landscape design, you might want to remove it in favor of more intentional plantings.
Remember, the best gardens work with nature, not against it. By choosing plants native to your region, you’ll create a landscape that’s not only beautiful but also supports the web of life that makes the desert Southwest such a remarkable place to call home.
