Indiangrass
Sorghastrum nutans
- Native to:
- Canada, Honduras, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, United States
Joshua Mayer (www.flickr.com) from Madison, WI, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Sorghastrum
- Species:
- Sorghastrum nutans
- USDA Symbol:
- SONU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 240 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, bronze
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, copper
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Highly fire-adapted prairie grass; resprouts vigorously from basal buds after fire. Fire improves stand vigor and reduces competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny prairies and meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light enhances germination. Seed can be direct sown in fall for natural cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Mix seed with equal amounts of vermiculite and lightly dampen in a plastic bag or container. Store this seed for 3-4 months in a cold room of 34-36 degrees F. Some improvement in germination may be seen with 3-4 weeks of cold stratification at 40 F. Cover seeded plug trays with clear, light-weight plastic and expose them to full sunlight in the greenhouse. Media should be kept continually moist by misting under the plastic as needed.
Establishment: Germination was greater in light than dark. Mechanical injury of caryopsis resulted in higher germination. Dry storage of seeds resulted in 44% germination. Pretreatment with gibberellic acid resulted in 25% germination. Germination time was drastically reduced without cold stratification by covering seeded plug trays with clear, light-weight plastic and exposing them to full sunlight in the greenhouse.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 weeks, then place @ 20C.