Prairie Drop Seed Sporobolus heterolepis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- spor-OB-oh-lus heh-teh-roh-LEP-iss
- Description
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Prairie dropseed, is a native perennial clump-forming, warm-season, ornamental grass that forms dense tufts of sprawling leaves up to 2 feet high and 3 feet across. It is a prairie grass typically found in glades, open ground and along railroads from Canada to the United States. Tiny rounded mature seeds drop to the ground from their hulls in autumn giving rise to the descriptive common name.
Prairie dropseed grows in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils and has a reputation for being slow to establish itself in a site as well as slow growing. It prefers full sun and dry, rocky soil, but tolerates a wide range of soils, including heavy clays, as well as deer, drought, and other challenges.
The flowers arch high above the leaves and provide movement as they sway in the wind dispersing their fragrance said to be reminiscent of buttered popcorn or hot wax. It displays a glossy green fine summer color that turns deep orange in late fall and then fades to light copper. Snow does not flatten the plant, so it is visible even in winter. Prune it back in spring to shape. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous. It can be grown from seed but does not freely self-seed in the garden. Because the seeds are difficult to germinate, it is easier to propagate this grass by dividing the dense tufts of leaves. Once it becomes established at a suitable site, Prairie dropseed is long-lived.
This plant is listed by the Department of Agriculture as endangered in seven eastern states, including North Carolina. Use in the upper tier of a rain garden, mass planted in a meadow, as an accent in a rock garden, or as a lawn alternative. It works well to prevent erioson or can be used in the front of a border to line a walkway.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sporobolus
- Species:
- heterolepis
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used the seeds to make flour.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada to U.S.A
- Distribution:
- throughout
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds like sparrows and juncos feed on the seeds. Feeds grasshoppers and leafhoppers.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 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
- Dense
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds are achenes that are brown and drop to the ground where they are enjoyed by wildlife.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Pink and brown-tinted 3 to 8 inch flowers. Scented , open panicles on slender stems held 3 feet above the foliage. Blooms from August to October. Flowers have pink and brown tints, but are perhaps most noted for their unique fragrance (hints of buttered popcorn, hot wax, or coriander).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Thread-like, fine textured, hair-like leaves. Glossy green summer color turns deep orange in late fall then fades to light copper. Leaves (to 20 inches long and 1/16 of an inch wide) typically form an arching foliage mound, 15 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Rock Wall
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Foot Traffic
- Pollution