Sorghastrum nutans

Common Name: 
yellow Indiangrass, woodgrass
Scientific Name: 
Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash ex Small
Family Name: 
Poaceae (Graminae) - Grass Family
Identification Notes
Life Cycle
native perennial, reproducing by seed and short, scaly, stout rhizomes
Culms
upright, somewhat thick, hollow, tall, forming sizable clumps, nodes densely covered with white, ascending hairs
Culms of Yellow Indiangrass
Culms of Yellow Indiangrass
Culms of Yellow Indiangrass
Culms of Yellow Indiangrass
Culms of Yellow Indiangrass
Leaves
blades flat, smooth, stiff, margins rough, tapering to a narrow base; rolled in bud; auricles - see ligule; ligule membranous with notch and irregular margins , flanked by two upright appendages, appendages resemble “rifle sights” or “rabbits ears” and sometimes referred to as auricles; sheaths open, round, smooth to sometimes with long hairs
Leaves of Yellow Indiangrass
Leaves of Yellow Indiangrass
Seedheads
panicle, terminal, oblong, dense, tan to brownish-yellow or golden brown, yellow anthers often apparent
Leaves of Yellow Indiangrass
Leaves of Yellow Indiangrass