Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern Gamagrass)

Eastern Gamagrass is a robust, clump-forming, warm season grass with coarse, arching, gray-green leaf blades. Give it plenty of room to grow. If you decide to cut it back, be aware that the blade edges are sharp. Before cutting it back, check for butterfly eggs and pupae since it is a host plant for skipper butterflies. Once established it is drought and occasional flood tolerant. 

Eastern Gamagrass prefers heavier soils and wetter conditions than most of our perennial, warm-season grasses. It is often found in open areas on disturbed sites, along roadside ditches, and wetland margins. It is excellent for erosion control. It is also attractive to some pollinating insects and provides good cover for some birds. 

Use in swales, rain gardens and moist areas. Can be used as a large accent plant in the landscape. 

DISTRIBUTION MAPS 

USDA MAP

BONAP MAP

Present in state

Present in county and native

Native to North America, but adventive & escaped in state

Not present in state

Present and rare, native in county

Previously present, now extinct

Questionable presence (cross-hatched, regardless of color)