Sometimes misnamed Acorus calamus, an introduced species; provides food and cover for
wildlife.
indicator status
OBL
habitat
Wet meadows, stream edges, ditches, and swamps; pH 5.6-7.2.
characteristics
Reproduces by seed or root cuttings and spreads by rhizomes; grows to 3’ tall; 10” minimum root
depth; full sun; no drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms from June to July; yellowish brown
flowers.
Naturalized
Herbaceous Perennial
Agrostis alba (A. gigantea)
redtop
Produces quick cover for road banks and diversion ditches for erosion control; provides food for
wildlife.
indicator status
FACW
habitat
Coastal marshes, roadsides, and open ground; pH 4.5-8.0.
characteristics
A sod-forming species that develops rapidly from seeds and spreads by rhizomes; grows to 2’ tall;
20” minimum root depth; full sun; moderate drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; establishes well
in moist soils; blooms from June to September; tall, narrow leaves, fine stems, and reddish
inflorescence.
Native
Herbaceous Perennial
Alisma subcordatum (A. plantago-aquatica)
mud plantain (water plantain)
Grows rapidly in early spring and ideal for vernal pools; provides food for pheasants and
waterfowl.
indicator status
OBL
habitat
Marshes, streams, and muddy shores; pH 5.0-7.0.
characteristics
A single-crown species; grows to 2’ tall; 20” minimum root depth; full sun; moderate drought
tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms in midsummer; small white flowers.
Native
Herbaceous Perennial
Andropogon gerardii
big bluestem
Used for erosion control in sand and gravel pits, mine spoils, and roadsides; contributes to
diversified biomass production; provides food and cover for wildlife, and is a high quality
livestock forage.
indicator status
FAC
habitat
Riverbanks, roadsides, and meadows; pH 6.0-7.5.
characteristics
A warm season bunch grass; grows from 5’-7’ tall; 20” minimum root depth; full sun; high drought
tolerance; moderate salt tolerance; blooms from August to October in Regions 1 and 3, and July to
October in Region 2; yellow seed heads; very leafy foliage turns to colorful hues of brown in
winter.
