Texas Wildbuds
Heteropogon contortus
(Tanglehead)
Heteropogon contortus, Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park 3447
Heteropogon contortus, Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park 3439
Heteropogon contortus, Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park 3434
Heteropogon contortus, Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park 3446
| Scientific Name | Heteropogon contortus | USDA PLANTS Symbol | HECO10 |
| Common Name | Tanglehead, Twisted Tanglehead | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 41763 |
| Family | Poaceae (Grass) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Dry, rocky and sandy soils in prairies, hillsides, pasturelands; frequently found mountain areas of the Trans-Pecos and in coastal areas of the state; up to 5,500 ft. Plant: Perennial tufted bunchgrass; culms erect, 8 to 32 inches tall, usually branching well above the base. Foliage: Sheaths are smooth, reddish, mostly smooth with few long hairs at junction with blade; blades are 4 to 6 inches long, less than 1/10 to about 1/4-inch wide; smooth, folded or occasionally flat. Inflorescence: Long inflorescence containing both sessile and stalked flowers (a rame), with 12 to 22, brown to reddish-brown, spikelet pairs along one side; lowest few pairs of spikelets without awns; upper spikelet pairs are brown with awns 2-3/8 to 4 inches long, forming a tangled mass at maturity; glumes are ovate-lanceolate, greenish to purplish-brown, becoming straw-colored when dry. Bloom Period: August to October. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, SEINet and Plants of the Texas Rangelands. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025
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