Sorghastrum nutans (Linnaeus) Nash. Yellow Indiangrass. Phen: Late Aug-Nov. Hab: 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. Dist: 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, K1, K3, 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

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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