NAME: PRAIRIE DROPSEED Sporobolus
heterolepis
DESCRIPTION:
Leaf: Long and attenuated, with
a length of 60 cm or more. The final third of the leaf tends to become
dry.
Flower: Well-developed panicle,
with inflorescence held within a sheath. Spielets are single-flowered
and fall soon from the inflorescence.
Present during Fall.
Stem: Delicate stem attaining
a height of one meter at flowering time.
DISCUSSION:
This plant is less common than some
of the other grasses, but when found it is a true indicator that the site
upon which it is growing has not been disturbed.
DISTRIBUTION:
Grows in dry soil on uplands, from
quebec to Saskatchewan, south to Texas, Arkansas, and New York.
IMAGES:
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COPYRIGHT:
© Copyright 2002, L&T Natural Images and Madsion
Jr. High, all rights reserved.
Contact information: email at lcwik@naperville203.org or tcoutts@naperville203.org
REFERENCES:
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie Pants of
Illinois.
Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Department of Natural Resources,
1985.
Young, Dick. Kane County Wild Plants and Natural Areas.
2nd ed. Geneva, Il:
Kane County Illinois Forest Preserve District, 1994.
Want more images of these and many other Prairie Plants? Check
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"Particles and Prairie" site.
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Parcel Restoration.
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