# Indiangrass (*Sorghastrum nutans*)

Indiangrass is a tall, beautiful grass that grows in fields and prairies. It has golden flowers that sway in the wind, making it look like a dancing sea of gold!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![Indiangrass](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sorghastrum_nutans_EPA-2.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sorghastrum_nutans_EPA-2.jpg)

## Appearance

The Indiangrass has tall, slender stems with long, narrow leaves that are often bluish-green. Its distinctive feathery seed heads shimmer with a golden-bronze hue in late summer, often featuring a small, pointed 'flag' at the top.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Poales
- **Family:** Poaceae
- **Genus:** Sorghastrum

## Interesting facts

- Its seeds were once ground into flour by Native American tribes for a food source!
- Listen closely, and you might hear its tall stalks "whisper" as the wind rushes through them!
- The feathery parts of its seeds can catch the light, making entire fields shimmer golden!
- This grass can grow taller than an adult, sometimes reaching over 8 feet into the sky!

## Special abilities

- **Super Roots:** Indiangrass has incredibly deep, fibrous roots that help it hold soil firmly, preventing erosion and finding water far underground.
- **Prairie Protector:** Indiangrass can quickly regrow after prairie fires because its growing points are safely protected beneath the soil surface.
- **Wind Weaver:** Indiangrass has flexible stems and leaves that allow it to bend and sway in strong winds without breaking.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 120-250 cm
- **Spread:** 60-90 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Bison](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bison) (*Bison bison*) — A primary food source for grazing herds.
- **Shelter:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Provides sheltered habitat for insects and larvae.
- **Shelter:** [Upland Sandpiper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/upland-sandpiper) (*Bartramia longicauda*) — Offers vital nesting and hiding spots in tall grass.

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
- [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always stay on paths when exploring grasslands to protect plants and animals.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Indiangrass?

Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Indiangrass?

120-250 cm

### How wide does Indiangrass spread?

60-90 cm

### How big are the flowers on Indiangrass?

1-2 cm

### When does Indiangrass bloom?

Late summer to fall

### Is Indiangrass edible?

Yes

### Is Indiangrass toxic?

None

### What is Indiangrass's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Missouri National Recreational River](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/missouri-national-recreational-river) — Nebraska, US · National Park
- [Pittsfield Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pittsfield-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Indiangrass: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/indiangrass)