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Poaceae
Erianthus

Erianthus alopecuroides (Linnaeus) Elliott. Common name: Silver Plume Grass. Phenology: Sep-Nov. Habitat: Dry to moist fields, roadsides, woodlands, and woodland borders. Distribution: NJ west to IN, IL, MO, and OK, south to FL and TX.

Glossary (beta!)

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, G, GW1, HC, Il, Mo1, RAB, Tx, W, WV; = Erianthus divaricatus (L.) Hitchc. — S; = n/a — Tat; = Saccharum alopecuroides (L.) Nutt. — Ar, ETx1, FlGr, FNA25, K4, Tn, Va, WH3; = Saccharum alopecuroideum (L.) Nutt. — Webster & Shaw (1995), orthographic variant; = Saccharum alopecuroidum, orthographic variant; > Erianthus alopecuroides (L.) Elliott — S13; > Erianthus tracyi Nash — S13; Andropogon alopecuroides Linnaeus. Basionym: Andropogon alopecuroides L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Saccharum alopecuroides - FNA25

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC (name change)
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC (name change)
  • Great Plains: FACW (name change)
  • Midwest: FACU (name change)
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (name change)

Heliophily ⓘ: 8

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image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plantno rights reserved, uploaded by cwarneke source CC0 | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Leila Dasher, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Leila Dasher source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

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Height: 3-9 ft.

plant sale text: Silver Plume Grass is one of the more striking southeastern native grasses. This commanding species can reach heights of up to nine feet. It is related to several other Erianthus species that are called sugarcane and are used to produce sugar. In the autumn, its tall flowering stalks are topped with feathery silver panicles of flowers and then seeds. This ornamental species can be found at the edges of damp woods and fields. In a cultivated setting, this perennial grass can add grace to a border or provide height and movement when planted in clumps.

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native range: southeastern United States



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