| Sporobolus heterolepis Prairie Dropseed |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Sporobolus |
| Species: | S. heterolepis |
| Binomial name | |
| Sporobolus heterolepis A.Gray |
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Sporobolus heterolepis, the Prairie dropseed, is a species of prairie grass native to a widespread area of the US (from the Mid-West to the eastern seaboard (Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia)) and Canada.
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Taking up to five years to mature from seed, the adult dropseed can range from 1–4 feet tall and can survive over multiple growing seasons, as it is a perennial plant. They favor moist to drier soils, however, it is drought-resistant but is not found in wetlands.
Its long luscious green leaves grow in bunches around a circular base and are no more than 1/8 of an inch wide. The leaves range in color from a rich green hue in summer to a golden rust complexion in the fall. From late July to mid-September, the grass blooms with rusty-tan flowers.
The grass is favored by decorative landscapers because of its tendency to grow in bunches. The seedhead is sometimes described as having the vague scent of fresh popcorn, cilantro, or sunflower seeds.
Dropseed is used first and foremost, even above big bluestem and Indian grass, in prairie restoration since it is a good indication of prairie ecosystem vitality.
Native Americans were known to grind the seeds of the grass to make a tasty flour, and several species of birds find the grainy seeds a very edible treat.