Sorghastrum nutans (Yellow Indiangrass) is not native to British Columbia. Its native Canadian range is strictly limited to the prairie provinces, primarily extending from Manitoba to central Saskatchewan. In the United States, its native range covers the Great Plains and eastward.
While you won't find it growing wild in BC ecosystems, this tall, clumping warm-season grass is a popular ornamental feature in gardens. Its defining characteristics include:
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Appearance: Slender, blue-green foliage that turns a bright orange-yellow in the fall.
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Blooms: Feathery, narrow plumes of copper or golden-brown flowers that emerge in late summer.
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Height: Can reach up to 1.5 to 2 metres (5 to 7 feet) tall.
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Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and is highly drought-tolerant, doing well in poor, rocky, or clay soils.