Tripsacum dactyloides

Common Names

Bullgrass, Capim Gigante, Eastern Mock Gama, Fakahatchee Grass, Gamagras, Herbe Grama, Maicillo Oriental, Pasto Guatemala, Wild Corn, Zacate Maicero

Summary

Eastern gamagrass, a warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to the eastern United States, forms large clumps 4–8 feet tall with arching leaves 12–24 inches long and 0.4–1.2 inches wide; its inflorescences are 1–3 erect to ascending spikes 6–12 inches long, bearing orange stamens and purple stigmas, blooming from spring to early summer and giving the plant a distinctive showy presence. It spreads by creeping rhizomes and self-seeding and is noted for its robust form and foliage. Preferring full sun to partial shade, it thrives in moist to mesic soils and adapts to fertile loam or clay-loam substrates, with a deep root system that supports drought tolerance and some tolerance of wet sites; establishment is by seed (seed dormancy requires stratification) or division, with seed production tending to be low and seeds prone to shattering. It is commonly used for beef and dairy forage as hay or silage, and also valued for erosion control and wildlife habitat; it can function as an ornamental accent in landscapes. Hardiness zones 4–10 and management often include rest periods and rotational grazing to sustain vigor.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-8 feet

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun and partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil that remains evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Orange-pink

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate, about 2 inches per day

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies