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Native Plant Society of Texas

Curly Mesquite

Hilaria belangeri

Other common name(s):

Curly Mesquite Grass

Family:

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Low Mountains and Bajadas
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

.5
to
1
ft.

Spread

to
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Birds

Maintenance

Runners produce new shoots and plants which can often develop into large colonies. Native habitat: plains, prairies, rocky slopes, mesas, and dry foothills. Grows in a variety of soils. Drought tolerant. Can be used as turf or ground cover and can be mowed. Has good soil binding qualities and can be used to rehabilitate disturbed sites and control soil erosion. Its name comes from the way the leaves curl up when it goes dormant and because it is often found in mesquite (Prosopis species) savannahs. Propagation: seed, division.

Comments

Blooms Aug-October. A warm-season perennial grass. Forms tufts of stems that spread by stolons. The inflorescence is terminal, solitary, with 1 spike, head, or cluster per stem.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Anthephora belangeri, Hilaria texana, Schleropelta stolonifera, Hilaria cenchroides

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Start by soaking them for 24 hours before planting. This simple step boosts germination rates, and for optimal results, maintain a temperature of around 70°F (21°C). https://greg.app/curly-mesquite-overview/#:~:text=%F0%9F%8C%B1%20Seed%20Propagation,F%20(21%C2%B0C).
Clump division Division Carefully digging up and separating clumps. The best time for this technique is either early spring or fall, ensuring the plants have time to recover and thrive in their new locations. Divide roots while the grass is dormant. Although some say to divide during the growing season has a higher success rate. Spreading by stolons is the main method of reproduction in the plant because it is often sterile and rarely forms seeds. 1) https://greg.app/curly-mesquite-overview/#:~:text=%F0%9F%8C%B1%20Seed%20Propagation,F%20 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HIBEB#:~:text=Propagation&text=Description:%20Propagate%20by%20seed%20or,while%20the%20grass%20is%20dormant.1%C2%B0C). 3) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Hilaria_belangeri.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate%20Curly%2Dmesquite?&text=Endemic%20to%20arid%20regions%2C%20curly,complications%20of%20seed%20germination%20obstacles. 4) https://www.spadefootnursery.com/grasses-grasslike-plants/hilaria-belangeri

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason