Native Plant of the Month - Indian Grass, Sorghastrum nutans

Indian Grass, Sorghastrum nutans, is a beautiful perennial native grass that is

one of the Big Five prairie grasses (Little bluestem, Big bluestem, Switchgrass,

Indian grass, and Gama grass). It grows to about 6 ft tall and has a bunching

growth habit. In the fall, it produces large plume-like feathers of golden-brown

seed heads that are wind pollinated. It enjoys occasional flooding as well as dry

periods. Indian grass loves sun and will tolerate part-shade. This plant does well

with other tall plants to help it remain upright. This grass is a "bunching sod-

former" which is a type of grass that grows in clumps, but can spread and form a

dense mat.

The seed is loved by small mammals as well as birds. Indian grass provides

nesting materials for our native bees. It is a larval host for Pepper and Salt

Skipper butterflies, Amblyscirtes hegon. Livestock love this grass, but use

caution because it is sensitive to over-grazing. Indian grass can be used for hay

when well managed. Indian grass is propagated easily by seed. Seed is collected

in the fall, does not need pre-treatment, and needs light to germinate so place

seed on the surface of the soil. It is difficult to divide this plant because of the

dense root mass.

Photo credit: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sorghastrum-nutans/