Tripsacum dactyloides

Eastern gamagrass is a warm-season perennial clumping grass native to eastern North America and found throughout North Carolina. The origin of the name ‘gamagrass’ is unclear but may have derived from “grama,” a common name for pasture grasses in the unrelated genus Bouteloua. 

This species can be found in wet to mesic conditions in full to near-full sun, often at roadsides, streambanks, ditches, and edge habitats. It prefers fertile loamy soils. Its habitat preferences in North Carolina are not well-researched. 

Eastern gamagrass is a distant relative of cultivated corn (Zea mays). Much like corn, this grass has broad leaves with conspicuous midveins. It can attain large sizes and reproduce vegetatively through its rhizomes, though its growth habit is not particularly aggressive. The inflorescence is a long spike with sessile spikelets that look like stacks of cylinders. Male and female spikelets occur in separate groups on the same spike. 

Being a large grass with broad, arching leaves, eastern gamagrass can make a good ornamental. It may be also be selected for its wildlife value in native gardens or natural areas. It provides cover for game, including quail and deer. Allocate plenty of room for gamagrass in the garden. Gamagrass can survive irregular mowing and should be cut back in the winter.