Scientific Name: TRIPSACUM DACTYLOIDES
Common Name: EASTERN GAMAGRASS
Erosion Index: GOOD
Erosion Index Value: 7.14
Wildlife Index: GOOD
Wildlife Index Value: 7.18
Ecological Distribution: PINEYWOODS, GULF PRAIRIES AND MARSHES, POST OAK SAVANNAH, BLACKLAND PRAIRIES, CROSS TIMBERS AND PRAIRIES, SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS, EDWARDS PLATEAU, ROLLING PLAINS, HIGH PLAINS, TRANS-PECOS
Topographic Tolerance: BOTTOMLAND, WETLAND
Elevation Tolerance: SEA LEVEL - 2000', 2000' - 4000'
Slope Tolerance: TOLERANT OVER WIDE SLOPE RANGE
Aspect Tolerance: TOLERANT ACROSS RANGE
Light Tolerance: TOLERANT TO FULL SUN, TOLERANT TO SUN-SHADE MIX
Wetland Regional Indicator: FACULTATIVE
Physical Form: GRASS
Habit: OTHER
Life Cycle: PERENNIAL
Seed Age: 1 TO 4 YEARS OLD
Seed Interval: 1 YEAR OR LESS
Growth: RAPID GROWTH, LONG-LIVED, DENSE STAND-FORMING, TUFTED BUNCHGRASS, SOD-FORMING, SHALLOW ROOTED
Hardiness: DROUGHT TOLERANT, GRAZING INTOLERANT
Vegetative Growth Period: MAR, APR, MAY, JUN, JUL
Flowering Period: MAY, JUN, JUL, AUG, SEP
Fruiting Period: JUN, JUL, AUG, SEP, OCT, NOV
Soil Moisture: WITHSTANDS SHORT-DURATION SATURATION
Soil Texture: TOLERANT TO CLAYEY SOILS, TOLERANT TO SILTY SOILS, TOLERANT TO LOAMY SOILS
Soil Fertility: HIGH SOIL FERTILITY
Parent Material: TOLERANT OVER WIDE RANGE
Soil pH: SLIGHTLY ACIDIC, NEUTRAL, SLIGHTLY ALKALINE
Optimum pH: UNKNOWN
Soil Depth: VERY DEEP SOIL OVER 36 IN.
Salinity: OBLIGATE TO NON-SALINE (FRESH) SOIL/WATER CONDITIONS
Short-term Biomass: MEDIUM
Short-term Pest: NONE KNOWN
Long-term Biomass: MEDIUM
Long-term Pest: NONE KNOWN
Dominance Characteristics: DOMINANT
Honeybee Relations: POLLINATED WITHOUT BEES, NOT HONEY PRODUCING
Parasite Host Potential: NONE KNOWN
Food for Wildlife/Livestock: SMALL MAMMALS, LARGE MAMMALS, UPLAND GAME BIRDS, NONGAME BIRDS, CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, HORSES
Small Mammal Food: GOOD
Large Mammal Food: GOOD
Upland Game Birds Food: GOOD
Waterfowl Food: FAIR
Nongame Birds Food: GOOD
Small Mammal Cover: EXCELLENT
Large Mammal Cover: GOOD
Upland Game Birds Cover: EXCELLENT
Waterfowl Cover: FAIR
Nongame Birds Cover: EXCELLENT
Toxicity Potential: NONE KNOWN
Toxicity Season:  
Effectiveness Period: SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM
Raindrop Impact: MEDIUM
Erosion Hardiness: MEDIUM
Ease of Propagation: HIGH
Soil Binding: LOW
Soil Enrichment Potential: LOW
Nitrogen Fixation Potential: LOW
Growth Inhibitor Production: LOW
Source Availability: SPECIALIZED COMMERCIAL OR WHOLESALE OUTLET, HARVEST FROM LOCAL WILD STOCK
Seed Germination Ratio: UNKNOWN
Reproduction: SEEDS, RHIZOMES
Seed Dispersal Success Potential: GRAVITY, WIND
Seed Establishment Success Potential: MEDIUM
Cuttings Establishment Success Potential: LOW
Transplanting Establishment Success Potential: LOW
Establishment Time Interval: 2 TO 3 YEARS
Recommended Establishment: SEEDS
Relative Expense: MODERATELY EXPENSIVE
Notes: - A drought-tolerant grass with an enormous root system extending up to 20 feet deep. - Although it will grow well on uplands, it is especially adapted for wetlands and will withstand flooding for several weeks.

Associated Species:

ACACIA, PRAIRIE (FERN) BLACK-EYED SUSAN
BLUESTEM, BIG BLUESTEM, BROOMSEDGE
BLUESTEM, LITTLE BUFFALOGRASS
BUNDLEFLOWER, ILLINOIS COREOPSIS TINCTORIA
CURRANT SPP. DEWBERRY/BLACKBERRY SPP.
GAMAGRASS, EASTERN GAYFEATHER SPP.
GRAMA, BLUE GRAMA, HAIRY
GRAMA, SIDEOATS INDIAGRASS, YELLOW
INDIAN BLANKET LEADPLANT
LESPEDEZA,ROUNDHEAD LESPEDEZA,SLENDER
PARTRIDGE PEA SENSITIVE BRIAR, CATCLAW
SPRANGLETOP, GREEN SUNFLOWER SPP.
SWITCHGRASS TEPHROSIA, VIRGINIA
TICKCLOVER, SESSILELEAF WILDRYE, CANADA
WILDRYE, VIRGINIA