Sorghastrum nutans (Yellow Indiangrass)

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POACEAE

Sorghastrum nutans (Linnaeus) Nash. Common name: Yellow Indiangrass. Phenology: Late Aug-Nov. Habitat: Xeric and mesic woodlands and forests of a wide variety, prairies, barrens, powerline rights-of-way, roadbanks. Along with Andropogon gerardi, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Panicum virgatum, Sorghastrum nutans is one of the dominant grasses of the tall-grass prairie. It is also common in a variety of open habitats (natural and altered) in the forested landscape of eastern North America. Distribution: ME and QC west to s. MB, south to c. peninsular FL, TX, UT, AZ, and s. Mexico.

ID notes: Variable in color of the foliage, from bluish to green.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, ETx1, F, FlGr, FNA25, G, HC, Il, K4, Mex, Mi, Mo1, NcTx, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV, Hall (1982); = Sorghastrum avenaceum (Michx.) Nash — Tx; > Sorghastrum linnaeanum (Hack.) Nash — S13; > Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash — S13; Andropogon nutans Linnaeus. Basionym: Andropogon nutans L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Sorghastrum nutans - FNA25

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Wetland Indicator Status:

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
Great Plains: FACU
Midwest: FACU
Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily ⓘ: 8

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Horticultural Information

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Height: 6 ft.

plant sale text: Indian Grass is a primary component of tall-grass prairies in the west, but is found mostly along roadsides and in old fields east of the Appalachians. It is often used in restorations of fields that have become dominated by fescue because of high-quality wildlife habitat. Ground-nesting birds such as quail depend on Indian Grass and other warm-season grasses for habitat and food. Besides its use for wildlife habitat restoration, Indian Grass is an attractive grass for landscape. As it begins to go dormant in late fall this entire grass takes on golden hues. Effective when used en masse, the golden tips sway gently in the breeze providing movement to the garden.

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germination code: 2

native range: e. & central North America to Mexico

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