Indian Grass
Genus: Sorghastrum
Species: nutans
Parts Used: the blades for forage
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Indian
Grass is a perennial bunchgrass native to the
United States. It is known as a warm season grass
and will start growing in May, and go to seed in
July and August. It has yellow spikelets (seed
heads) that have white hairs, which make it look
silver and gold in the sunlight. The grass has
long, flat, and narrow leaves that usually are
called blades. The blades are 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide,
5 to 12 inches long, and pointed at the end. They
have a rough texture to them. They become yellowish
bronze in the fall and becomes dormant in the
winter. It has glossy seed heads.
The grass
grows on the prairies in North American, but can
grow as far north as southern Manitoba, Canada, and
as far south as Texas. It can extend west to about
the 100th meridian and can now also be found in
Europe, Asia, and Africa. It grows best where it is
moist.
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Indian Grass is used for grazing animals and for meadows on
farms. Its very tasty for animals when it is young, but
isn't too good after it has gone to seed. It is also used as
ornamental grass in gardens or as border grass.
by Hilary W.
2000.
bibliography:
Loewer, Peter.
(1995). Better Homes and Gardens Ornamental Grasses.,
Desmoine, Iowa: Meredith Books, Round Table Press,
Inc.
Loewer, Peter.
(1988). Ornamental Grasses - Brooklyn Botanic
Gardens. Ed, Barbara B. Psch. Brooklyn, N.Y: Editorial
Committee of the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Inc.
Weigel, Martene.
(2000). Encyclopedia of Biomes. Gale
Group.
World Book
Encyclopedia, ed., The Plant World. (2000). Chicago.
Ill:World Book , Inc.