Nodding Indiangrass Sorghastrum elliottii
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chrysopogon elliottii
- Sorghastrum apalachicolense
- Phonetic Spelling
- sor-GAS-trum el-ee-OT-ee-eye
- Description
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Indiangrass, is a perennial, ornamental, warm-season grass with fibrous roots in the Poaceae (grass) family. Indiangrass is native to North Carolina and can be found scattered throughout the state in open woodland habitats in dry sandy soils, and along roadsides. The plant will grow to a height of 4 to 8 feet and has rough, ribbon-like leaves. Nodding yellow flower panicles occur in late summer and early fall the seeds attracting songbirds. Deer resistance is high.
Plant as an accent, or massed in groups in a rain garden or perennial border. This low maintenance drought tolerant plant is at home in a cottage garden, meadow plantings snd can provide interest in a winter garden.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: No serious insects or plant diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sorghastrum
- Species:
- elliottii
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Southeastern United States
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides excellent cover year-round. Seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer resistance is high.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Nodding flower panicles occur in late summer and early fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, flat leaf blades 3/16" wide dull green to yellow-green with parallel venation. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
