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Morphology
- Culm
- Erect, solitary or clustered, stout, coarse, hollow, glabrous.
- Blades
- Flat or rolled inward, 12 to 48 inches long, 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide, prominently ridged above, glabrous; margins rough toothed; tips tapered to slender points.
- Sheath
- Crowded below, overlapping, firm, glabrous to slightly ribbed.
- Ligule
- Short fringes of hairs.
- Inflorescence
- 8 to 18 inches long, consisting of 5-32 spikes; spikes often short-stalked, 1.5 to 5 inches long, ascending to erect.
- Spikelets
- Sessile, to 40, crowded, overlapping in 2 rows along 1 side of each spike, flattened laterally, 1-flowered; first glume pointed or short-awned; second glume with awn to 1/4 inch long.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Moist low ground, ditches, marshy areas, and along streams.
- Distribution
- Throughout Kansas.
- Reproduction
- None
Practical Information
- Toxicity
- None
- Forage Value
- Of poor forage value when mature but can be grazed by livestock during its early growth stage and produces moderate-quality hay when harvested before the stems develop.
- Uses
- Prairie cordgrass is fast-growing and has been used to prevent soil erosion. Stems often remain erect through the winter and provide good cover for wildlife. Red-winged blackbirds nest in it. Native Americans and early pioneers used prairie cordgrass as a roof covering for dwellings.
Additional Notes
Comments
Rhizomatous. The grass is sometimes called "ripgut" due to the pointed teeth along the blade margins, which can cut skin.
Special Notes: None
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Grass
- Family
- Poaceae Grass Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 3-7 feet
- Last Updated
- 2021-02-20
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: August, September, October