Family: Poaceae
northern drop-seed, prairie drop-seed
[Vilfa heterolepis A.Gray]
Paul Drobot
Christopher Noll
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium (UWSP)
Etymology: Sporobolus: Greek spora for "seed" and ballein for "to cast forth" referring to dropping seeds at maturity
Plants: perennial, 2'-4' tall grass
Flowers: blooms Aug.-Sept.
Habitat: full sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: perennial, 2'-4' tall grass
Flowers: blooms Aug.-Sept.
Habitat: full sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Wet-mesic, mesic, dry-mesic to dry prairies; also in cedar glades, and along roadsides and railroads.
This species is not weedy and is conservative to higher quality prairies and remnants. It is also widely planted in prairie restorations and as a landscape plant. Found in prairies south of the Tension Zone.
This species is not weedy and is conservative to higher quality prairies and remnants. It is also widely planted in prairie restorations and as a landscape plant. Found in prairies south of the Tension Zone.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 10, Wetland Indicator = FACU- Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food
Alberta Government: "The identification of certain native and naturalized grasses by their vegetative characters", S.E. Clarke, J.A. Campbell and W. Shevkenek. 1950.
(Publication no. 762 ; Technical bulletin no. 50). Drawings, descriptions. Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Grasses of Iowa: Detailed photographs, descriptions, maps
Alberta Government: "The identification of certain native and naturalized grasses by their vegetative characters", S.E. Clarke, J.A. Campbell and W. Shevkenek. 1950.
(Publication no. 762 ; Technical bulletin no. 50). Drawings, descriptions. Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Grasses of Iowa: Detailed photographs, descriptions, maps
Paul Drobot
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Merel R. Black
Derek Anderson
Robert R. Kowal
Aaron_Carlson
Scott B. Sauer
