Yellow Indian grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Poaceae


Landscape Uses:

Perennial borders.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Available at native plant nurseries in northeast Florida.
Description:
Clump forming grass up to 7 feet tall. Green to bluish leaves turning yellow to orange in the fall and persisting through winter.
Height:
Typically 7 feet in height.
Growth Rate:
Range:
Throughout the United States from Maine to Arizona, south to Hillsborough and Polk counties.
Habitats:
Flatwoods and sandhills.
Soils:
Moist to dry, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Yellow.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Late summer.
Fruit:
Wildlife and Ecology:
Provides food and cover for wildlife.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.


Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton