Sorgastrum nutans
Indiangrass
General
A warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to North America. It typically grows in dense clumps, reaching heights of 3 to 7 feet (about 0.9 to 2.1 meters), with slender, upright stems that can sway gracefully in the wind. The leaves are long and narrow, with a bluish-green hue that turns golden-yellow in the fall, adding to its ornamental value. Indiangrass produces feathery, golden-brown flower spikes that emerge in late summer and persist into autumn, making it a valuable species for restoration and landscaping projects.
Plant Description
Features graceful, arching stems topped with delicate panicles of golden-brown flowers that sway in the breeze. Its leaves are long and narrow, resembling blades, and it forms dense tufts or clumps that create a striking visual contrast in prairie landscapes. Indiangrass's golden inflorescences add to its beauty and attractiveness, particularly when in full bloom during late summer to early fall.
Height (ft)
3-7'
Soil moisture
Well drained soils
Soil types
Various soil types
Wetland indicator
FACU
Shade tolerance
Full Sun
Bloom color
Golden brown
Bloom period
Mid summer to early fall
Drought tolerance
Moderate to high
Salinity tolerance
Low to moderate
Range
Found from the eastern seaboard westward to the Great Plains and into parts of the southwestern United States.
Additional Information
According to USDA National Resource Conservation Service, this species has been used by Native Americans to weave baskets and mats.