Prairie Dropseed

Sporobolus heterolepis

Poaceae

Growth Habit

Grass/Sedge

Propagation

Seed Treatment and Storage: Seeds germinate without pretreatment. Plants are slow to mature to full size.

Biocultural Value

The Ojibwa applied a poultice of prairie dropseed roots to skin sores and took a decoction of the root as an emetic.

Wildlife Value

Flowers are wind-pollinated. Sporobolus seeds are eaten by a number of songbirds, including snow buntings, juncos, lapland longspurs, field sparrows, and tree sparrows. White-tailed deer also graze on the plants.

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden

Cultivation

A 3' tall clumping grass that is showy and fragrant. Leaves turn golden and orange in fall, providing lasting winter interest.

Light: full sun

Moisture and Soil: Dry, rocky soil

Description

A densely tufted narrowly upright perennial reaching 2' in height; infloresence fragrant, gray-green, narrowly pyramidal, the branches erect or ascending, finally spreading, bearing dark green spikelets towards their tips, effective in late summer.

Source of plant

Kurt Bluemel Inc., Bluebird Nursery Inc., High Country Gardens, North Creek Nurseries

USDA Hardiness Zone

4