Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)

Indiangrass, or yellow indiangrass, is a warm season, clumping bunchgrass. Tall and upright with broad blue-green blades and a large, plume-like, golden-brown seed head. This showy native grass’ fall color is a coppery orange.

 

Considered one of the four dominant species of the tallgrass prairie that once covered the central and parts of the eastern states, which has mostly disappeared due to human disturbance. It is known to seed itself well, and is often used in a meadow or prairie setting. Provides cover and nesting for birds and bees. Indiangrass is a larval host and adult food source for several skipper butterflies. 

 

Indiangrass is intolerant of shade. Like many tall grasses, it should not be planted close to a building or home due to high flammability. Native grasses are helpful in many ways related to soil, such as improving soil water retention and reducing rain runoff and erosion, as well as improving soil quality. The roots go deep under the surface, up to several yards, and sequester carbon below ground.

 

Companion plants include taller or dense community species for dry to moist soils, such as switchgrass, little bluestem, big bluestem, wild beebalm, Silphium asteriscus, Solidago speciosa, whorled milkweed, and New York ironweed and upland ironweed.