Sorghastrum nutans
yellow Indiangrass
Poaceae (Gramineae)
Plant Specifics
Form:
grass
Size:
3-5 (8) ft
Life Span:
short-lived perennial
Flower Color:
yellow
Fruit Color:
yellow,orange
Phenology:
winter dormant
Noted For:
Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Fall Color
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Plant in the rear of a wildflower garden. The flower/fuit stalk is quite showy with a golden plume (the stamens are yellow)in mid-fall. The stems and fruit retain a golden straw color through the fall. The remainder of the year, the grass is much lower (about 2 ft) and blue-green in color.
Considerations:
Light:
Full Sun, Part Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
Somewhat moist, no flooding ---- to ---- Very long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand
Suitable to Grow In:
Ecology
Wildlife:
Caterpillars, Birds
Larval host for pepper and salt skipper ( Amblyscirtes hegon ).
Birds eat seeds.
Native Habitats:
Flatwoods, sandhills.
