Sporobolus heterolepis

Sporobolus heterolepis Prairie Dropseed
File:Dropseed pic.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Sporobolus
Species:	S. heterolepis
Binomial name
Sporobolus heterolepis A.Gray

Sporobolus heterolepis, the Prairie dropseed, is a species of prairie grass native to the tallgrass and mixed grass prairies of North America from Texas to southern Canada. It is also found further east, all the way to the Atlantic coast of the [United States] and [Canada], but is much less common.

Description

Prairie dropseed is a perennial grass that grows from 2 to 3 feet in height. It grows in a wide range of soils, doing well in moist to dry conditions. It cannot tolerate wet soil.

It is a fine-textured grass with long, narrow (1/8 inch wide) leaves that arch outward, forming attractive round tufts. The leaves range in color from a rich green hue in summer to a golden rust complexion in the fall. Foliage is resilient enough to resist flattening by snow, so it provides year-round interest. From late July to mid-September, the grass blooms with rusty-tan flowers that rise 30 to 36 inches in height.

Uses

Gardens

The grass is favored by decorative landscapers because of its tendency to grow in bunches. The seedhead is sometimes described as having the vague scent of fresh popcorn, cilantro, or sunflower seeds. Because of its drought tolerance, it has been used on green roofs.

Restoration

Dropseed is used first and foremost, even above big bluestem and Indian grass, in prairie restoration since it is a good indication of prairie ecosystem vitality.

Food

Native Americans ground the seeds of the grass to make a tasty flour, and many species of birds eat the seeds.

External links

• Potted prairie dropseed from Prairie Nursery
• Prairie dropseed from Chicago Wilderness Magazine