Species › Plants › Indiangrass

Indiangrass

Sorghastrum nutans

CommonPlant
Illustration of Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)

Indiangrass is one of the four dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie, recognized by its distinctive twisted yellow-golden seed heads in late summer and fall. It turns deep orange-bronze in autumn. It provides important nesting habitat for grassland birds and is highly palatable forage for bison, elk, and cattle.

Habitat
Tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies across the central North America
Diet
Grazed by bison, elk, and deer; seeds eaten by sparrows and upland gamebirds
How common
Common

Best time to see a Indiangrass

The best time to see a Indiangrass is August–October, when about 76% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 17,954 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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