Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash, indiangrass 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 3 to 7 feet. 
Leaf blade: 10 to 24 inches long; flat; narrow at base; some- 
times hairy. 
Leaf sheath: Generally shorter than intemodes; prominent 
auricles. 
Ligule: Membrane 1/2 inch long, notched at tip. 
Seedhead: Panicle golden bronze to yellow, 6 to 12 inches 
long, rather dense and narrow; spikelets paired, hairy; 
awns 1/2 inch long, bent, twisted. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth starts in midspring from short, scaly rhizomes. Seed- 
stalks usually form in late August and September. Indiangrass is 
a good seed producer. 
DISTRIBUTION 
From the east coast to the Rocky Mountains and Arizona 
and in southern Canada and Mexico. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Best adapted to deep, moist soils from heavy clays to deep 
sands. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Indiangrass is relished by all livestock. It provides high-quality 
forage when green and fair quality when mature. It is used in 
range seeding mixtures. In some areas, indiangrass is an impor- 
tant component of native prairie meadows and is cut for hay. 
This grass is planted and managed in pure stands as a pasture 
grass because it responds to fertilizer and irrigation. On sites that 
have a high percentage of indiangrass in the plant community, it 
is the key management species. On less productive sites, its pres- 
ence indicates that the range is in good to excellent condition. 
Grazing deferments of 90 to 100 days during the growing season 
every 2 to 3 years are needed for plants to regain vigor and pro- 
duce seed. 
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