Prairie Dropseed

Sporobolus heterolepis

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Sporobolus heterolepis:  Prairie Dropseed

 Location near campus:  in ornamental grass bed toward southwest corner of Master Gardener areas north  of Botanical Center Building in Nathanael Green park at the Botanical Center; also along the west side of the Xeriscape Garden at the corner of Linwood & National in Springfield.

·         native warm-season grass with very thin, soft, flexible, dark-green leaves

·         basal leaves arch over to form a mound about 12-18”  tall

·         very slender flowering stalks are 2-4’ long, arching, topped by open pyramidal panicles

·         panicles may have musty, earthy odor if rubbed

·         prefers full-sun, moist, well-drained soils, although can tolerate dry soils and slight shade