The Ark Native Plants

Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii

Growing up to 8 feet tall, Big Bluestem is one of the main plants of the hot and dry tallgrass prairie. Its size, clumping nature, and distinctive "turkey's foot" seed heads make it a great focal point in a garden, and provides good cover for animals in a restoration project.

Little Bluestem Schizachyria scoparium

Little Bluestem, when not in seed, has a similar appearance to Big Bluestem because of its colour and clumping nature. The biggest difference though is its size. Little Bluestem is small in the tallgrass prairie, but being the most widespread dryland grass, can also be found as a larger species in the shortgrass prairie. When its maturation occurs in the fall, white hairs on the seeds fluff out to give it a very showy look.

Cordgrass Spartina pectinata

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SPPE

Cordgrass has thick, dense seed heads that look like combs when pulled apart. This grass forms thick stands in wet areas, especially along lakeshores or in prairie potholes. When one of the fibrous leaves dies it dries out and curls, creating an attractive appearance of ribbons.

Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SONU2

Indiangrass is another of the main plants in the Tallgrass prairie. It is tolerant of poorly to well-drained soils, a variety of soil types, and a wide range of pH levels.

Sweetgrass Hierochloe odorata

Switchgrass Panicum virgatum

Canada Wildrye Elymus canadensis

Though Canada Wildrye likes to grow in damp places, it can also tolerate some drier areas too. Because it is a bunchgrass, it is short, and grows densely along the ground; however, it grows only a few tall, distinctive seed stalks per plant, giving it a sparser appearance. The drooping seed heads develop early in the season, making it one of our most attractive, and easily recognizable, grasses.