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Sorghastrum elliottii is often confused with:
Panicum virgatum Panicum virgatum
Sorghastrum nutans Form (Lambton, Toronto, ON)-Early Fall
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Andropogon glomeratus Form
Muhlenbergia capillaris Muhlenbergia capillaris
Schizachyrium scoparium Schizachyrium scoparius

Slender 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

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:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#fall flowers#cover plant#winter interest#fall interest#cottage garden#mass planting#small mammals#fast growing#NC native#deer resistant#cool season grass#native garden#border planting#native ornamental grass#food source fall#flowers late summer#bird friendly#rough leaves#flowers early fall#winter garden#food source winter#wildlife friendly#accent
 
Form
Form grbfrog CC BY-NC 4.0
Fall form
Fall form cole_shealy CC BY-NC 4.0
Sept. seedheads
Sept. seedheads Alan Weakley CC BY-NC 4.0
Stem and leaf sheath
Stem and leaf sheath Alan Weakley CC BY-NC 4.0
Leaves
Leaves Ryan Fessenden CC BY-NC 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#fall flowers#cover plant#winter interest#fall interest#cottage garden#mass planting#small mammals#fast growing#NC native#deer resistant#cool season grass#native garden#border planting#native ornamental grass#food source fall#flowers late summer#bird friendly#rough leaves#flowers early fall#winter garden#food source winter#wildlife friendly#accent
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Insignificant
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Nodding flower panicles occur in late summer and early fall.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought