Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Poaceae

Growth Habit

Grass/Sedge

Wildlife Value

Indian grass is the preferred host plant of the velvet striped grasshopper (Eritettix simplex), little pasture grasshopper (Melanoplus confusus), and handsome grasshopper (Syrbula admirabilis), which in turn are an important food source for a variety if songbirds and gamebirds. Several other insects feed on the foliage, including a leafhopper (Flexamia reflexa), Issid planthopper (Bruchomorpha extensa), and the caterpillars of the pepper-and-salt skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon). The tall, erect foliage provides valuable nesting habitat and cover for birds.

Location

Fall Creek Gorge, Mundy Wildflower Garden

Cultivation

An upright, 3-5' tall warm-season grass with blue-green foliage that turns orange-yellow in the fall.

Light: full sun

Moisture and Soil: Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil. Tolerant of poor, dry, infertile soils and heavy clay. Tends to open up and flop in moist, rich soil.

Description

Coarse perennial to 2m. Stems clumped. Leaves linear to 60x1cm, scabrous, attenuate; sheaths glabrous, auricles erect; ligules membranous. Panicle terminal, narrow, compact, to 35cm, tinged yellow to brown; spikelets sessile, lanceolate, to 0.8cm, hirsute, awn to 1.5cm; lemmas hyaline; spikelet golden brown; anthers yellow. Frequently used in restoration seeding or plantings.

Source of plant

North Creek Nurseries

USDA Hardiness Zone

3

Special characteristics

One of the few native grasses that once dominated areas of prairie in New York State.