Family: Poaceae
Author: (L.) L.
Bibliography: Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1261 (1759)
Year: 1759
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Tripsacum
Vegetable: False
Observations: C. & E. U.S.A. to Ecuador, Caribbean to N. South America
Description
Eastern gama grass, scientifically known as Tripsacum dactyloides, is a species of grass within the Poaceae family. This grass was first classified in 1759 in the renowned publication, “Systema Naturae” (Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1261) by the noted botanist Carl Linnaeus.
Native to a broad geographical range, Eastern gama grass is found in regions extending from central and eastern United States down through Ecuador, as well as in the Caribbean and northern reaches of South America. This wide distribution underscores its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions and varying soil types.
Eastern gama grass is a robust species, often recognized for its tall, tufted growth habit. It thrives in moist environments, typically flourishing in prairies, savannas, and along the edges of woodlands and water bodies. Its ability to grow in various settings makes it a valuable species for soil conservation and erosion control. Additionally, Eastern gama grass serves as an excellent forage plant due to its palatability and high nutritional value for grazing livestock.
Furthermore, the grass plays a significant ecological role by providing habitat and food sources for various wildlife, including pollinators and ground-nesting birds. Its deep root system also contributes to enhancing soil health and promoting water infiltration.
Understanding the characteristics and ecological importance of Eastern gama grass enriches our knowledge of native grass species and their roles in maintaining biodiversity and sustainable land management practices.
Common Names
Deu: gamagras
Eng: buffalo-grass, eastern gama grass, gama grass, gama-grass
Por: capim-gigante
Swe: gamagräs
Fra: herbe grama
Spa: macillo, pasto guatemala, zacate maicero
En: Eastern gama grass, Gama grass, Eastern gamagrass, Fakahatchee grass, Eastern Mock Grama, Buffalo-grass, Gama-grass
Zh: 指狀加拿草
Fr: Herbe grama
De: Gamagras
Pt: Capim-gigante
Pt-br: Capim-gigante
Es: Macillo, Pasto Guatemala, Zacate maicero
Sv: Gamagräs
Zh-tw: 指狀加拿草
Synonyms
- Tripsacum compressum (E.Fourn.)
- Ischaemum glabrum (Walter)
- Tripsacum dactyloides subsp. hispidum (Hitchc.)
- Tripsacum dactyloides var. hispidum ((Hitchc.) De Wet & J.R.Harlan)
- Dactylodes dactyloides ((L.) Kuntze)
- Dactylodes angulatum (Kuntze)
- Tripsacum bravum (J.R.Gray)
- Tripsacum dactyloides var. genuinum (Hack.)
- Tripsacum dactyloides var. floridanum ((Porter ex Vasey) Beal)
- Tripsacum dactyloides var. angustifolium (Scribn.)
- Tripsacum monostachyon (Willd.)
- Tripsacum dactyloides var. monostachyon ((Willd.) Eaton & Wright)
- Tripsacum dactyloides var. meridionale (De Wet & Timothy)
- Tripsacum dactyloides var. occidentale (Cutler & E.S.Anderson)
- Tripsacum dactyloides var. mexicanum (De Wet & J.R.Harlan)
- Coix angulata (Mill.)
- Tripsacum dactyloides f. prolificum (R.S.Dayton & Dewald)
- Tripsacum floridanum (Porter ex Vasey)
- Coix dactyloides (L.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Florida (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Borneo (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Congo (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Jul 1, 2014 by EOL − Mike H (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 30, 2014 by EOL − timarcus (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 30, 2014 by EOL − timarcus (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 8, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)
Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by EOL − Lynn Michael (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 21, 2015 by EOL − Diana-Terry Hibbitts (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 29, 2018 by Jean-Michel Faton (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Ron Morford (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 29, 2019 by Sugam Sugam Banchta (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 17, 2015 by EOL − Hilary Casey (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 24, 2015 by EOL − Kevin Czachura (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 15, 2022 by Charles Power (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 12, 2022 by Keith Boyd (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2015 by EOL − Jenny Smith (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Oct 7, 2015 by EOL − Rebecca Cowser (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 30, 2011 by EOL − Sharpj99 (cc-by-nc-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by EOL − Lynn Michael (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705536)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:424990-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.)
Specifications
Growth form: Bunch
Growth habit: Graminoid
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 5.1