Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Sorghastrum nutans, commonly known as Indian Grass, is a native warm-season bunchgrass found in prairies, savannas, and open woodlands throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained soils and full sun, tolerating a range of moisture conditions from dry to moderately moist.
This tall, graceful grass features blue-green leaves with a distinctive “ligule” at the base of each blade and produces showy golden-bronze flowering plumes from late summer into fall. The flowering stalks can reach 4 to 7 feet in height, creating dramatic movement and texture in native plantings. In autumn, the foliage takes on rich shades of gold and rust.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Sorghastrum nutans is a foundational species in prairie restorations, native meadows, and ornamental grass gardens. It provides excellent wildlife habitat, nesting cover, and seeds for birds. Indian Grass also plays a key role in soil stabilization and supports beneficial insects, making it both ecologically valuable and visually striking in diverse native landscapes.
Sorghastrum nutans, commonly known as Indian Grass, is a native warm-season bunchgrass found in prairies, savannas, and open woodlands throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained soils and full sun, tolerating a range of moisture conditions from dry to moderately moist.
This tall, graceful grass features blue-green leaves with a distinctive “ligule” at the base of each blade and produces showy golden-bronze flowering plumes from late summer into fall. The flowering stalks can reach 4 to 7 feet in height, creating dramatic movement and texture in native plantings. In autumn, the foliage takes on rich shades of gold and rust.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Sorghastrum nutans is a foundational species in prairie restorations, native meadows, and ornamental grass gardens. It provides excellent wildlife habitat, nesting cover, and seeds for birds. Indian Grass also plays a key role in soil stabilization and supports beneficial insects, making it both ecologically valuable and visually striking in diverse native landscapes.
Sorghastrum nutans, commonly known as Indian Grass, is a native warm-season bunchgrass found in prairies, savannas, and open woodlands throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained soils and full sun, tolerating a range of moisture conditions from dry to moderately moist.
This tall, graceful grass features blue-green leaves with a distinctive “ligule” at the base of each blade and produces showy golden-bronze flowering plumes from late summer into fall. The flowering stalks can reach 4 to 7 feet in height, creating dramatic movement and texture in native plantings. In autumn, the foliage takes on rich shades of gold and rust.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Sorghastrum nutans is a foundational species in prairie restorations, native meadows, and ornamental grass gardens. It provides excellent wildlife habitat, nesting cover, and seeds for birds. Indian Grass also plays a key role in soil stabilization and supports beneficial insects, making it both ecologically valuable and visually striking in diverse native landscapes.
Bloom: late summer to early fall
Habitats: areas along railroads (particularly where prairie remnants occur); barrens with scrubby vegetation; black soil prairies; cemetery prairies; fallow fields; grassy fens; gravel prairies; hill prairies; roadsides; sand prairies; typical savannas and sandy savannas
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: moist to dry-mesic
Plant type (height): grass (3 to 7 feet)
Requirements: full sun to partial sun
Soil: clay-loam; gravel; loam; sand