On The Cover – Indian Grass

Abstract

The genus Sorghastrum contains about 18 species, most native to tropical or subtropical America; two are African, and four native to North America.1 The Latin genus name alludes to the resemblance to Sorghum (suffix astrum = poor imitation of).2 Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans, is a native North American perennial grass.1-3 It is a common constituent of wild or prairie hay in the Great Plains. Indian grass grows in a wide range of habitats, found in prairies, bottomlands, savannahs, and open woods; most abundant on deep moist soils, but also found on dry slopes.