Eastern Gamagrass
Top Forage Grass and Soil Stabilizer
Eastern Gamagrass is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Delivery and Shipping
Nonperishable items ship within 48 business hours. Perishable items ship seasonally during mild weather, i.e. winter preorders ship in spring, summer preorders ship in fall.
Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides)
Eastern Gamagrass is a robust native perennial that thrives in moist, well-drained soils and plays a critical role in supporting wildlife and improving ecosystems. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Grasses,” it provides high-quality forage for livestock and wildlife while offering excellent erosion control. Its dense clumps create habitat for a wide range of species, including quail, turkeys, and small mammals. Traditionally, Native American tribes used Eastern Gamagrass seeds as a food source, grinding them into flour.
Key Characteristics:
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Wildlife Habitat and Forage: Eastern Gamagrass provides excellent forage for deer, bison, and livestock, making it a valuable addition to silvopasture systems. Its tall, dense clumps also create ideal nesting habitat for ground-nesting birds like quail and turkey.
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Erosion Control and Soil Health: With its deep root system, Eastern Gamagrass helps stabilize soil, preventing erosion along streambanks and in riparian areas. It also improves soil structure, aiding water retention and reducing runoff.
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Traditional Uses as a Food Source: Native American tribes used Eastern Gamagrass seeds as a food staple, grinding them into flour. Today, it continues to be valued for its high nutritional content and potential as a sustainable food crop.
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Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support: This grass is known to attract beneficial insects such as bees and wasps, which thrive on the pollen from its flowers, supporting ecosystem health and aiding in integrated pest management.
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Ideal for Meadows, Food Forests, and Silvopasture: Eastern Gamagrass fits seamlessly into permaculture designs, functioning as a productive forage crop in silvopasture systems or adding structure and resilience to meadows and food forests.
Product Details:
- Native range: Eastern and Central North America
- Plant life cycle: Perennial
- Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: Medium to wet soils
- Mature height: 5-8 feet
- Bloom time: June to August
- Bloom color: Yellow-green
- USDA Hardiness zones: 4-9
Eastern Gamagrass is a powerful addition to any landscape, offering forage for wildlife, improving soil health, and contributing to water conservation efforts.
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Sun RequirementsFull Sun, Part Sun/Shade
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Soil RequirementsMedium-Wet
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Bloom ColorYellow, Green
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Bloom TimeJune, July, August
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USDA Hardiness ZonesZone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9+
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