Indian Grass
Sorghastrum
nutans
Description:
This native, warm-season perennial grass mixes with Big Bluestem, and
resembles Big Bluestem when young. Indian Grass also attains heights between
1.5 to 2.0 or even 2.5 meters. Growth begins at about
the same time as Big Bluestem, which is about the first of May.
Leaf: Stiff straight leaves project from the stem at
45 degree angles. Each leaf has a distinctive pair of toothlike,
erect, narrow, pointed lobes at the point where the leaf blade joins the stem -
these lobes are usually reddish to yellowish.
Flower: Although individual flowers are
inconspicuous, the yellowish color is due to the yellow anthers. The flowers
heads are narrow, elongate, and initially chestnut brown, later fading to
grayish brown. The hairy seeds have twisted bristle tips about ˝ inches long.
In the fall, parts of the prairie are colored gold with Indian grass seeds.
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8-20 |
9-14 |
Flower head 8-20 Seeds 10-7 |
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Blooming months: late July-August
Discussion:
Called the “best fuel” on the prairie, Indian grass prospers from a burn.
Indian grass is nutritious to grazing livestock and is also consumed as prairie
hay. The seeds can be harvested by combine and are often used in reclamation
projects or in restoration of prairie.
Distribution:
Indian Grass may frequently invade the drier uplands and particularly
where there has been some mild disturbance such as an occasional burning.
Indian Grass grows throughout the
Native
or Introduced to
Location:
N41048.677’ W089040.972’
Copyright:
© 2004 Nancy Trainor,
References:
Keller, Carolyn. Prairie Plants of
Ladd, Doug. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers, The Nature Conservancy, 1995.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Wildflowers Northeastern/North Central
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie
Plants of
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