Eastern Gamagrass
| Plant Profile | |
|---|---|
| FYUSE Image |
Common Name: Eastern Gamagrass Species Name: Tripsacum dactyloides Plant Type: Grasses & Grass-like Family Name: Poaceae, Grass Family Tribe: Andropogoneae, Bluestem Tribe |
Examples of Eastern GamagrassTripsacum dactyloides
| Plant Facts | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Native |
| Duration | Perennial |
| Season | Warm |
| Distribution in the U.S. | Southern half from the East Coast to Iowa and Nebraska and southwestward into central Mexico |
| Distribution in Oklahoma | Throughout the state |
ID Characteristics
- Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Grows in large bunches, often near water
- Large, thick stems
- Knotty vertical rhizomes
- Leaves broad (0.5-1.5 inches wide); mostly basal; with rough leaf edges
- Leaves with prominent white midvein
Floral
- 1-4 branches at tip of stem
- Hard cylindrical, persistent, female spikelets below; male spikelets above (2 per node)
- Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Plant Height: 200-300 centimeters
- Ligule Type: Ciliate or ciliate membranous
- Sheath: Glabrous
- Leaves: Basal and cauline
- Floral Characteristics
- Inflorescence Type: Rame
- Florets Per Spikelet: 2
- Glumes: Equal (upper spikelets); hardened (lower spikelets)
| Habitat/Ecology | |
|---|---|
| Soil Type | Moist sand, loam and clay |
| Habitat | Moist but well-drained soils or prairies, ditches and stream banks |
| Successional Stage | Late |
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