Strongly rhizomatous, sod-forming native perennial often occurring in large clumps (B). Flowering stems are 3-6 feet tall. Abundant leaves up to 24 inches long and 3/4 inch wide have a characteristic zone of long, dense hairs on the upper leaf just above the junction with the sheath (D). The flower cluster is a large 6-18 inch long panicle with many open, spreading branches. At their tips are groups of simple, teardrop-shaped, green, red or purple spikelets (E,F,G) which fade to a light brown after flowering. Flowers have deep orange anthers and purple stigmas (E).
Prairies and open woodlands. Switchgrass prefers moist soil, but is found in drier sites as well. At Fontenelle Forest it is locally common in the old prairie planting on History Trail and is common in the more recent floodplain prairie restoration east of the blind. It is common in Knull, Koley and Lower Jonas Prairies at Neale Woods. Flowering occurs from late July to September.
Switchgrass was an important component of our tall grass prairies. It is a potential biomass energy crop and is a popular garden ornamental.
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