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Big Galleta

Hilaria rigida

true

1 gallon

Big Galleta

In stock

3'x3'

Sizes:

Big Galleta - Hilaria rigida
Synonym: Pleuraphis rigida

Big Galleta is a clumping perennial grass that is widespread in California’s deserts and across much of the arid Southwest. Its deep root system and dense clumps help stabilize sandy soils and even anchor shifting dunes. According to botanist Philip A. Munz, “it is said to be one of the most valuable forage grasses of the desert.” Individual clumps can live for more than 100 years, making it a long-lived and reliable component of desert plant communities.

Big Galleta thrives in sand dunes, bajadas, scrublands, woodlands, and desert flats, preferring dry, open, sandy to rocky slopes and plains. It grows on all soil types but performs poorly in heavy clay. This hardy grass is highly tolerant of arid conditions, and in some desert scrub regions it is the dominant grass species.

Ecologically, Big Galleta acts as a nurse plant, sheltering seedlings of other desert plants such as cholla and barrel cactus — and in turn, gaining protection from herbivores by growing beside their spines. It is an important forage grass for wildlife, particularly for desert tortoises, which feed on its leaves and seed heads. Its presence supports a wide range of desert animals, both directly through nutrition and indirectly by improving soil stability and creating microhabitats.

Wildlife Value
Big Galleta plays a critical role in desert ecosystems, providing food, shelter, and soil stabilization. Its seeds, foliage, and protective clumps benefit many species in both the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Big Galleta is a key forage grass for many desert animals and provides critical habitat benefits, but it is not documented as a host plant for butterfly or moth larvae.

Host Plant: — (No known lepidopteran larval hosts in this region)

Nectar Source: None (wind-pollinated grass)

Bird Resources: Seeds; Shelter; Nesting material

Bird Species: Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris), Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)

Forage: Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni), jackrabbits (Lepus californicus), kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.), etc.

Other Wildlife: Shelter for small mammals, reptiles, and birds

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Part Shade

Mature size:

3'x3'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Brown

Flower season:

Spring - Summer

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

10 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Attracts pollinators:

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Yes

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Yes

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.