Indiangrass

Sorghastrum nutans

Native
Herbaceous Perennial

Good for erosion control, landscaping, and roadside beautification; provides food and cover for wildlife.

Sorghastrum nutans, Indiangrass, is another native warm season grass species in the North American tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Its unique yellowish brown, plume-like panicle makes Indiangrass easy to distinguish in mixed plantings. Ecologists and biologists interested in sustainability and diversity in dedicated energy crop plantings consider Indiangrass a natural choice. While not having the remarkable yields demonstrated by some of the other native warm season grasses, Indiangrass is tolerant of an extremely wide range of soil, water, and pH conditions.

Habitat

Moist or dry fields, roadsides, and serpentine barrens; pH 5.0-7.8.

Characteristics

A very decorative warm season bunch grass; grows to 6’ tall; 24” minimum root depth; full sun; moderate drought tolerance; moderate salt tolerance; grows best in deep, well-drained soils; blooms from August to October in Regions 1 and 3, and September to October in Region 2; reddish yellow color in winter.

Seeding Rate

8-10 PLS lb per acre alone; 10%-50% of a mix; approx. 175,000 seeds per lb

Varieties - State of Origin

‘Nebraska 54’-NE (tall, leafy, late maturing)
‘Rumsey’ Yellow-IL (high quality forage, late maturing)
‘Tomahawk’-SD (winter hardy, early maturing)
‘Holt’-NE (superior leafiness, early maturing)

Ecotype

PA
Long Island NY
VA
‘Suther’-Piedmont NC
‘Americus’-GA
Piedmont GA