Eastern gama grass

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Eastern gama grass inflorescence

Eastern gama grass leaf blades

Eastern gama grass

Eastern gama grass inflorescence

Eastern gama grass pistillate spikelet stigmas

Eastern gama grass inflorescence

Eastern gama grass staminate spikelets and anthers

Eastern gama grass pistillate spikelets

Eastern gama grass

Eastern gamagrass

Eastern gama grass

Eastern gama grass flowering

Morphology

Culm

Erect or bent abruptly below, solid, glabrous, slightly flattened and purplish at bases.

Blades

Flat, 12 to 30 inches long, .25 to 1.25 inch wide, glabrous, midrib prominent; margins rough; tips tapered to long points.

Sheath

Open, shorter than internodes, glabrous or sometimes hairy near ligules.

Ligule

Rings of short hairs.

Inflorescence

Spike-like branches, 1-4, 6 to 10 inches long.

Spikelets

Unisexual; staminate spikelets paired, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long; pairs in 2 rows on 1 side of flattened rachis at terminal ends of branches; pistillate spikelets embedded in lower 1/4 of branches, solitary, pear-shaped, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, hard, bead-like; awns absent.

Ecology

Habitat

Moist prairies, fertile bottomland, and stream banks.

Distribution

Principally east 2/3 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Forage Value

It is palatable and very nutritious for livestock. Cattle relish this grass and can eliminate it through overgrazing. Birds and small mammals consume the seeds.

Additional Notes