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


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