Marcus, Joseph A.
Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.
Eastern gamagrass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Usually 2-3 ft. in height, eastern mock grama can grow 10 ft. tall. It is interesting primarily for its terminal inflorescences which have separate male and female flowers. Stigmas are purple;
stamens orange. The plant is a perennial.
Deer eat the hard, yellow seeds of this plant.
Image Gallery:
24 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MA , MI , MS , MO , NE , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , DC
Native Distribution: MA to IA & KS, s. to FL, OK & TX
Native Habitat: Borders of salt marshes; stream banks; mesic, upland, tallgrass prairies, Frequent in scattered parts of the state, more common in the eastern half, rare in Plains Country
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Moist soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Calcareous, Acid-based
Conditions Comments: Eastern gamagrass is related to corn, and deer gobble up its seeds. This grass grows large and stately; it is a good idea to allocate plenty of room to it. Cut it back in winter, but carefully, the leaf
blade edges are sharp!
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Accent, Grows in clumps, Border, Ground cover, Can be mowed
Use Wildlife: Deer eat the hard, yellow seeds. Seeds-granivorous birds, Cover, Nesting site, Graze.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Bunchgrass Skipper
Deer Resistant: Moderate
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Tripsacum dactyloides is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-12-09
