The bluish to purplish stems turn an attractive reddish-copper color after frost. Big bluestem occasionally topples in winter. The blue to green leaves and stems of the 2-4 foot grass turn the deepest russet of all the natives. This color, accented by silvery white seed heads in fall, is unforgettable. Its distinction is a large golden silky plume which follows yellow flowers in late summer.
Indian grass turns golden in fall.
This grass is considered by many as the most handsome of the prairie grasses. The seed heads, filled with small round seeds, are on 2' to 4' long stalks. Winter color is light tan. Broomsedge is commonly seen in abandoned fields. The leaves of Elliott's broomsedge around the seed heads are wider than those of broomsedge.