Common Name: Cord Grass, Slough Grass, Ripgut

Full to part sun, wet to medium moisture level, best grown in fertile loam but will tolerate sandy or rocky soil with consistent moisture, slightly acidic to alkaline pH.  6-8 feet height, blooms in June, yellow flowers, spreads aggressively by rhizomes.

Germination Code:  A

Native Region:  Scattered in 9 counties, occurring in all provinces except the Central Basin and Blue Ridge.

Warm season grower.  One of our tallest grasses. Very rigid and upright with widely spaced flowering branches.  Leaf blades have sharp, serrated edges. It is typically found on lower, poorly drained soils along roadsides, ditches, streams, marshes and potholes.  Also occurs in floodplains, wet meadows and back dune areas.  However, it is intolerant of prolonged flooding.  Excellent for stabilizing soils and for erosion control on slopes.  Can be used to restore wetlands where prolonged flooding does not occur.   It is very aggressive with the ability to grow out 5-10 feet per year.  Can use drier soils to slow its aggressive spread.  Attracts birds.