Eastern Gamagrass growing in a field
Johnston's Native Grasses | Grasses

EASTERN GAMAGRASS

#1929 | TRIPSACUM DACTYLOIDES

EASTERN GAMAGRASS FACT SHEET

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Summary

Eastern Gamagrass is a native, perennial, bunchgrass known for its production of high quality livestock forage. It is a distant relative of corn and is native to most of the eastern half of the United States, but performs very well in fertile soils in the Central and Southern Great Plains. It ranges in height from 4 to 8 feet tall and reproduces by both seed and vegetatively from thick, knotty rhizome structures. Eastern Gamagrass is a monoecious species with separate male and female flowers. The seed unevenly matures and is prone to shattering. Seed production is generally quite low. Gamagrass is best planted as a monoculture when utilized for grazing because of the characteristic high palatability can easily lead to overgrazing in mixed species stands, thus the Gamagrass begins in decline and disappear. Because of the high seed dormancy issues associated with Gamagrass see “special considerations for planting” listed below.

Plant Characteristics
Taxonomy

Zone

Regional Growing Zone
5 - Midwest, 7 - Great Lakes South, 8 - Appalacia, 9 - Southeast, 10 - South Florida, 11 - South Texas
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Plant Characteristics

Height
48" - 96"
Bloom Period
Early-Summer
Leaf Color
Green
Growing Cycle
Perennial
Growth Habit
Bunch-Type
Sun Requirement
Full Sun

Plant Information

Planting Season
Winter - Spring
Plant Depth
1" - 1.5"
Minimum Soil Temp for Germination
65° F
Establishment
Hard

Seed Information

Seeds Per Pound
7,200
Kingdom
PLANTAE
Subkingdom
TRACHEOBIONTA
Super Division
SPERMATOPHYTA
Division
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
Class
LILIOPSIDA
Subclass
COMMELINIDAE
Order
CYPERALES
Family
POACEAE
Genus
TRIPSACUM
Species
TRIPSACUM DACTYLOIDES

Coverage Area & Available Sizes

COVERAGE: 1 PLS lb/2000 sq ft or 12 to 20 PLS lb/acre

AVAILABLE SIZES:

Applications

Conservation, Reclamation & Restoration

The most important use of Eastern Gamagrass is for forage. Eastern Gamagrass has been referred to “Candy on the Range” because of the highly palatable, highly nutritious forage than can be produced from a properly managed stand of Eastern Gamagrass. With proper nitrogen fertilization, 12% crude protein and yields of over 3 tons/acre can be achieved with improved varieties

Conservation, Reclamation & Restoration

Eastern Gamagrass has shown be an excellent grass for filter strip, vegetative barrier, and nutrient management. The large robust plants have the ability to uptake excess nutrients and stabilize the soil in many applications.

Prairie

Pasture & Range

Notes

Eastern Gamagrass has a high degree of seed dormancy. For acceptable stand establishment the seed must either be artificially stratified or planted in the fall-early winter when soil temperature is below 50 ºF and it can be naturally stratified. A frequently used technique for artificial stratification involves soaking seed held in a burlap bag in a 1% fungicide solution for 10 to 12 hrs. Allow the solution to drain from bag and store for 6 to 10 weeks at 35 to 45 ºF. Remove seed and plant while seed is wet.

Growth Guide & Gallery

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