Indiangrass
(Sorghastrum nutans)
Conservation • Wetland • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Use • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | not listed |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure SNR - Unranked |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Wetland Indicator Status |
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| Great Plains | FACU - Facultative upland |
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| Midwest | FACU - Facultative upland |
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| Northcentral & Northeast | FACU - Facultative upland |
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Description |
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There is a split ligule at the base of the leaf where it clasps the stem. The shape has been compared to a rifle sight, hammer claw, or rabbit ears. The leaf narrows where it connects to the stem. If you lightly hold the base of the flowering head of Indiangrass and run your hand upwards, the head will feel smooth and silky. With most other grasses, the head will feel rougher to the touch. |
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Height |
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5′ to 7′ |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Dry to moderate moisture. Prairies. Full sun. |
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Ecology |
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Flowering |
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August to September |
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Pests and Diseases |
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Use |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 5/2/2023 | ||||
Nativity |
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Native |
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Occurrence |
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Common Indiangrass is one of the most dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie. |
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Taxonomy |
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| Kingdom | Plantae (green algae and land plants) | ||
| Subkingdom | Viridiplantae (green plants) | ||
| Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (land plants and green algae) | ||
| Superdivision | Embryophyta (land plants) | ||
| Division | Tracheophyta (vascular plants) | ||
| Subdivision | Spermatophytina (seed plants) / Angiospermae (flowering plants) | ||
| Class | Liliopsida (monocots) | ||
Order |
Poales (grasses, sedges, cattails, and allies) | ||
Family |
Poaceae (grasses) | ||
| No Rank | PACMAD clade | ||
| Subfamily | Panicoideae (bristlegrasses, bluestems, paspalums, and allies) | ||
| Tribe | Andropogoneae (bluestems, lemon grasses, silvergrasses, and allies) | ||
| Subtribe | Sorghinae (Johnsongrasses, milos, Sudangrasses, Indiangrasses, and allies) | ||
Genus |
Sorghastrum (Indiangrasses) | ||
Synonyms |
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Andropogon albescens Andropogon arenaceus Andropogon avenaceum Andropogon avenaceus Andropogon ciliatus Andropogon confertus Andropogon linnaeanus Andropogon nutans Andropogon nutans var. avenaceus Andropogon nutans var. linnaeanus Chalcoelytrum nutans Chrysopogon avenaceus Chrysopogon nutans Chrysopogon nutans var. avenaceus Chrysopogon nutans var. linnaeanus Digitaria nutans Holcus nutans Holcus nutans var. avenaceus Poranthera cilata Poranthera ciliata Poranthera nutans Rhaphis nutans Sorghastrum albescens Sorghastrum avenaceum Sorghastrum linnaeanum Sorghastrum nutans ssp. nutans Sorghum avenaceum Sorghum nutans Sorghum nutans ssp. avenaceum Sorghum nutans subvar. avenaceum Sorghum nutans var. genuinum Sorghum nutans ssp. linnaeanum Stipa villosa Trichachne nutans |
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Common Names |
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Indian grass Indiangrass prairie plume grass wood grass yellow Indian grass |
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Glossary
Ligule
In grasses, a membranous appendage at the junction of the leaf and the leaf sheath.
Visitor Photos |
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Bill Reynolds |
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These images are of Yellow Indiangrass being worked by a Honey Bee for it's pollen. From my google research, I've not found this interaction between these two species. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Habitat |
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Inflorescence |
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Infructescence |
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Slideshows |
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Other Videos |
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| Indiangrass U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
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About
Published on Dec 29, 2014 Indiangrass Description: Distribution: Benefits: Read more about it here: http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?s... |
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| Indian Grass on the Prairie Orchard, August 16, 2014 The Prairie Orchard |
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About
Published on Aug 22, 2014 One of the other common, conspicuous, warm season grasses of the Tallgrass Prairie. A feathered gold flower atop a blue green stem. |
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| Sorghastrum nutans (indian grass) hygroscopic awn, time lapse Josh Drizin |
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About
Published on May 31, 2012 This is a Sorghastrum nutans diaspore (seed and seed coat). The part that spins is the awn. The awn was "primed" in a humid environment and allowed to spin in a less humid environment. This is a 10x speed up. |
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| Indiangrass - Sorghastrum nutans Ionxchange |
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About
Published on Aug 24, 2012 Earthyman views Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) at Ion Exchange, native seed and plant nursery in NE Iowa. Indiangrass is a perennial native prairie grass. http://ionxchange.com/products/SORGHASTRUM-NUTANS-%7C-Indiangrass.html |
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| Indian Grass (9/25/04) OKGardeningClassics |
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About
Published on Jun 7, 2013 Host Steve Owens talks about native Indian Grass, an excellent ornamental grass for the landscape. |
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Visitor Sightings |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Badoura Jack Pine Woodland SNA Blazing Star Prairie Addition Preserve, South Unit Carver Highlands WMA, South Unit Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Felton Prairie SNA, Bicentennial Unit Felton Prairie SNA, Shrike Unit John Peter Hoffman Spring Brook Valley WMA Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA, Kellogg Weaver Unit Minnesota Valley NWR, Louisville Swamp Unit Mound Spring Prairie SNA, North Unit Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Hoffman Unit Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Pavia Unit Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Spieker Unit Pankratz Memorial Prairie, North Unit Pembina Trail Preserve SNA, Crookston Prairie Unit Pembina Trail Preserve SNA, Pembina Trail Unit Prairie Creek WMA, Koester Prairie Unit Richard M. & Mathilde Rice Elliott SNA Sand Prairie Wildlife Management and Environmental Education Area |
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