This is a native bunchgrass with short rhizomes, widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains from Canada south to the Gulf of Mexico and into Mexico. Under the best conditions stems may reach to 10 feet.
Leaves are smooth and flat, near a half inch wide, elongated, narrow at the base.
Indiangrass thrives best on fertile bottom soils but also occurs on sandy soils and dry slopes. It is palatable while succulent but only fairly so when dry. It is most useful in the Central and Southern Great Plains. Some selected varieties are in commerce.