Kansas is household to a variety of native grass , but there are four dominant species that truly define the tallgrass prairie ecosystem of the Flint Hills : Big Andropogon furcatus , Indiangrass , Little bluestem , and Switchgrass . These grasses are often concern to as the “ Big Four ” due to their prevalence and importance in the region .
braggart Andropogon furcatus ( Andropogon gerardii ) is a improbable , strong - time of year smoke that can reach height of up to eight animal foot . Its distinctive blue - green stems and reddish - brown seed heading make it easy placeable . I have always been fascinated by the sheer superlative and dish of swelled bluestem , as it sways gracefully in the farting , make a mesmerizing sight . This supergrass is not only aesthetically pleasing but also plays a crucial office in the prairie ecosystem .
Indiangrass ( Sorghastrum nutans ) is another prominent grass in the Flint Hills . It typically grows in clumps and can reach heights of six feet . Indiangrass has vibrant golden source heads that rock in the air , sum up a touch of heat and gloss to the prairie landscape painting . I think back walk through a field of Indiangrass and being magnetize by the gentle rustling phone it made as the fart passed through . It was a truly peaceable and calm experience .
Little bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium ) is a scant grass , usually growing to about three feet in altitude . Its slender , blueish - dark-green stems and fluffy ejaculate heads make a delicate and wispy coming into court . Little Andropogon gerardii is often found in assorted stand with Big Andropogon gerardii , creating a beautiful demarcation of heights and texture in the prairie . I recall observing a theater of operations filled with a smorgasbord of Big and fiddling bluestem , and it was like watching a saltation between the tall and the minuscule , each forage showcasing its alone beauty .
Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) is a versatile grass that can adjust to a all-inclusive range of grease type and conditions . It typically grow to about five feet tall and has dense , upright stems . Switchgrass gets its name from the elbow room the root can easy be bent and “ tack ” back into an upright position . This grass has a unique charm , and I have always admired its resilience and power to thrive in dissimilar environments .
These four grass , known as the Big Four , are not only visually stunning but also allow for legion benefits to the prairie ecosystem . They have abstruse rootage organization that help forbid soil erosion and better water infiltration . Additionally , they provide habitat and nutrient reservoir for a miscellany of wildlife metal money , include fowl , insects , and small mammalian .
It is worth noting that the Flint Hills part of Kansas has a long history of prairie preservation and conservation . Efforts have been made to protect and restore native grassland , insure the survival of these iconic grass mintage . This commitment to carry on the lifelike heritage of Kansas is something I profoundly look up to and prize .
The aboriginal grass of Kansas are diverse and beautiful , but the Big Four – Big Andropogon furcatus , Indiangrass , Little bluestem , and Switchgrass – dominate the tall-grass prairie ecosystem of the Flint Hills . These grasses not only contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the landscape painting but also play a vital role in exert the wellness and balance of the prairie ecosystem .
Caroline Bates
