Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Erianthus

Species:

Erianthus giganteus

USDA Symbol:

SAGI

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

300 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

sep,oct,nov

Bloom Colors:

purple, brown

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fall Color:

bronze, tan

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire; historically maintained by periodic burning in wet prairies and savannas.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, well-drained sandy loam

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

good drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

commonly found in wetlands and marshes

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow and keep moist.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI