Plant of the Month: Eastern gamagrass

Tripsacum dactyloides

Characteristics: Eastern gamagrass is a native, warmseason, perennial grass adapted to a range of sites from waterlogged bottomland soils to moist upland soil. It was once common in most of the eastern half of the U.S. but has been eliminated from much of its former range because of overgrazing and extensive plowing. Eastern gamagrass roots can extend down to seven feet, allowing it to reach water other grasses can't and therefore enabling it to survive drought and floods.

Area of Importance: All of Oklahoma except the panhandle region and all of Texas except the panhandle and Trans-Pecos regions.

Attributes: It is a prolific forage producer, highly palatable, and responds well to fertilizer. Has tested up to 17% crude protein and 65% total digestible nutrients.

Problems: Because it is highly preferred by livestock, it can easily be overgrazed; therefore, proper grazing management is a must. Seed is expensive.

I.D. Tip: Inflorescence resembles corn tassels. Both male and female flowers occur on the same inflorescence with male flowers above and female flowers (seeds) below. Leaf blades are as broad or broader than those of Johnsongrass. A large, robust grass that can reach 12 feet in height.

Hundreds of plants are identified in the Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery.