Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
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Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash
Indiangrass, Yellow Indiangrass, Indian Grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Andropogon nutans, Sorghastrum avenaceum
USDA Symbol: sonu2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Yellow indian grass is a tall, bunching sod-former, 3-8 ft. in height, with broad blue-green blades and a large, plume-like, soft, golden-brown seed head. This showy perennial's fall color is deep orange to purple.
This is a beautiful grass with a somewhat metallic golden sheen to its flowering parts. It is an important associate in the tallgrass prairies and is relished by livestock. It appears to be favored by occasional flooding and repeated burning and sometimes forms nearly pure stands in the lowlands. Warm-season grass with rich gold-and-purple sprays of flowers and seeds in the fall. (Ontario Native Plants 2002)
Plant Characteristics
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 8 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: The awns are red/rust color.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WI , WV , WYCanada: MB , NB , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Que. & ME to Man., s. to FL & AZ, then south to Chiapas in southern Mexico
Native Habitat: Prairies; open woods; fields; dry slopes. Frequent in north central Texas, Edwards Plateau, and Plains Country. Sand, loam, clay, limestone; seasonal poor drainage okay.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils. Calcareous, Sandy Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: Along with little bluestem, big bluestem and switchgrass, Indian grass is an important species in the tallgrass prairie. The bright yellow flowers contrast attractively with the blue-gray foliage. The grass stays low most of the year and then gets tall before blooming in early autumn. Like little bluestem, Indian grass is best planted en masse or in a wildflower meadow.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Grows in clumps, Accent
Use Wildlife: Seeds-Small mammals, Seeds-granivorous birds, Nesting material
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Pepper-and-Salt Skipper butterfly.
Deer Resistant: High
Value to Beneficial Insects
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native Bees
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) - Adult food souce
Image Information
Photographer: Hampton, NanCounty: Lampasas
State: TX
Location Notes: Hampton Big Dog Ranch, CR2600
Accession date: 2011-01-06
Filename: ENH_IMG0177.JPG
Slide Index: PA050244
Restrictions: Unrestricted
Collection: Wildflower Center Digital Library
Original Format: Digital
Orientation: Landscape
Shot: Whole plant.
Date Taken: 2010-10-05
NPIN Image Id: 28755
