Star Seed

Prairie cordgrass is a warm-season perennial grass. It is native to the tall grass prairies of most of the United States and Canada.

AREA OF ADAPTATION: Prairie Cordgrass is found in wet meadows, sloughs, potholes, and drainage ways. It is associated with various species, including sedges and rushes. Prairie Cordgrass has a broad climatic adaptation. It will grow on seasonally dry sites, tolerates alkaline condition and high water tables, but is intolerant of prolonged flooding. It will grow on a wide array of soil types, but prefers a soil other than sand.

PLANTING: 1/2 to 3/4 inches deep

MANAGEMENT: The stiff stems, vigorous rhizomes and robust size of this species are useful in stabilizing soil, dissipating wave energy and providing cover. Wetland restoration and enhancement, streambank stabilization, windstrip barrier, filterstrip, riparian buffer, prairie landscaping, wildlife habitat-nesting and cover, forage – very early season only, spillway and dam cover.

SEEDING RATE: 7 PLS lbs. per acre (1/4 to 1 pound PLS/acre in wet meadow mixtures)

NUMBER OF SEED: 183,000 Seeds per lb.

Click here to see the UDSA Plant Guide

IMAGE: Haddock, Michael John. Wildflowers and Grasses of Kansas. University Press of Kansas, 2005.