Sorghastrum elliottii

Common Names

Slender Indiangrass, Long-Bristle Indiangrass, Elliott's Bluestem, Nodding Indiangrass, Slender Indian Grass

Summary

Sorghastrum elliottii is a non-rhizomatous perennial bunchgrass native to the southeastern United States, with culms 70–190 cm tall and blades 20–55 cm long and 2.5–5.5(8) mm wide. It forms open, arching panicles 10–35 cm long that are dark purple, with spikelets 6–7.5 mm long and 1.1–1.4 mm wide maturing to dark chestnut brown; awns are 25–40 mm long, longer than the spikelets. The species grows in dry, open woods on sandy terraces, often over a clay subsoil, and variation includes plants with straight panicles and sessile spikelets described as S. apalachicolense. It is easy to establish in full sun to partial shade on dry to moist, well-drained sites and is drought-tolerant; it is well suited for accent plantings or massings in open woodlands, meadows, and wildlife habitats, and seeds attract songbirds. It is deer resistant, and seeds possess long awns that should be removed before seed-drilling.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2.5-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, tolerates partial shade, range full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Mesic to dry, well-drained loamy soils

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Bloom Color

Brown

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Green, Blue, Gold/YellowGreen

Fall Foliage Color

Gold/YellowGreen, Tan with a golden look

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Rapid

Seasons of Interest

Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, Not indicated for bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, or other pollinators