Sorghastrum nutans
| Sorghastrum nutans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Sorghastrum |
| Species: | S. nutans |
| Binomial name | |
| Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Andropogon avenaceus Michx. | |
Sorghastrum nutans, commonly known as Yellow Indiangrass,[2] is a North American prairie grass found in the central and eastern United States and Canada, especially in the Great Plains and tallgrass prairies.
Description
Yellow Indiangrass
Sorghastrum nutans is a perennial bunchgrass, prominent in the tallgrass prairie ecoregion, along with big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum).
It is the official state grass of both Oklahoma and South Carolina.
Ecology
Yellow Indiangrass is native to prairie habitats. Its blooming period is in late spring. It is intolerant to shade.
It regrows with renewed vitality after fires, so controlled burns are used, replacing extirpated large herbivores (i.e.: bison), for habitat renewal.
See also
- Shortgrass prairie — Great Plains
- Tallgrass prairie
- Index: Native grasses of the Great Plains region
References
- ↑ "Taxon: Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2003-05-23. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ↑ "Sorghastrum nutans". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
External links
Media related to Sorghastrum nutans at Wikimedia Commons
- USDA Plants Profile — Sorghastrum nutans (Yellow Indiangrass)
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Sorghastrum nutans — horticultural info.
- Floridata: Yellow Indiangrass
- Blueplanetbiomes.org: Yellow Indiangrass
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Data related to Sorghastrum nutans at Wikispecies