Erianthus contortus Baldw. ex Ell., bent-awn plumegrass 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, robust, perennial bunch grass. 
Height: 4 to 7 feet. 
Leaf blade: Wide ; flat ; strong midrib. 
Leaf sheath: Few hairs, especially at upper end; shorter 
than internodes. 
Stem: Large; rigid ; sometimes 3/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter at 
base. Nodes smooth or covered with short white hair. 
Seedhead: Open panicle brownish at maturity, hair as long 
as spikelets at its base; glume has awn 3/8 to 1/2 inch 
long spirally coiled at base of spikelet. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
New growth comes from axillary buds at basal nodes each year 
about April or May. Also reproduces from seed. Grows in large 
bunches 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Seedheads appear in September 
and October. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout forested areas of South. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows mostly on moist sandy to sandy loam soils high in natu- 
ral fertility. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Bent-awn plumegrass is grazed by cattle and horses. 
This grass is easily overgrazed. A season-long grazing defer- 
ment every 2 to 3 years maintains healthy, vigorous plants. 
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