Rumsey Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans 'Rumsey'(Grasses)
Rumsey Indian Grass has upright clumps of slender, blue-green leaves that turn golden in the fall. In late summer, attractive, vertical flowering stems are topped with 12-inch long, light brown flower panicles that have yellow stamens. Rumsey Indian Grass is an excellent grass for mid-height prairie establishment and for wildlife.
Rumsey is used for livestock forage in rangeland, pasture, and hayland and for prairie and native grass revegetation. Indiangrass is found from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic seaboard.
Rumsey indiangrass(Sorghstrum nutans) was selected as a pasture forage plant because of its improved
adaptation to the western Corn Belt's climate and soils. Rumsey's rapid growth during mid to
late summer provides high-quality forage for livestock grazing when summer temperatures retard the growth of cool-season species.
Rumsey indiangrass is a tall, native, warm-season, perennial bunch grasses with short rhizomes. Rumsey was developed and released with seeds from a native stand in west-central Iowa and was developed and released by the NRCS and the Missouri State Agricultural Experiment Station February 24, 1983.
Rumsey was selected for increased forage production, seedling vigor, and
resistance to lodging over other released varieties of indiangrass.
Compared to other varieties of indiangrass, Rumsey matures late. The average
date of seed maturity at Elsberry, Missouri, is October 5. Undisturbed, it attains a height
of five to eight feet, has good stem strength, and mature unharvested stems will remain
standing well into winter for increased protective cover for wildlife.
Wildlife biologists rate these native grasses as excellent nesting and rearing areas
for wildlife. Undisturbed nesting and hatching are possible in pastures of these grasses,
since grazing and haying operations are done after prime nesting season of most species. As a bunch grass Rumsey allows easy, open travel and host beneficial
insect populations for newly established broods.
Rumsey grows best on deep, well-drained, fertile soils, they will grow well on acid to alkaline and
excessively drained to somewhat poorly drained soils.
Rumsey is planted in the late spring (beginning in April in most areas) on clean, firm, weed-free seedbeds using drills, broadcast-packer seeders, andbroadcast seedings mixed with (no Nitrogen) fertilizer, and then rolling to cover the seed. Seeding should be 1/4 and absolutely no more than 1/2 inch deep. Seeds will not germinate if planted too deep.
Controlling weeds at seeding time is important because grass establishment and
survival can be suppressed as a result of weed competition for moisture and sunlight.
Weed control during establishment may be enhanced by surface-applied atrazine after
seeding. Application should be made according to label recommendations where
approved for use.
If clipping is used, clip above the seedlings and remove the excess growth to
prevent smothering the seedlings. Do not clip after August 1 because the seedlings
should be allowed to grow some before frost.
Special rangeland drills capable of seeding light, fluffy seed must be used to plant
Rumsey Indiangrass. However, improved harvesting and cleaning equipment is producing a slicker cleaned seed. Set the drill at the lowest setting if the seed you are planting is extremely clean.
Rumsey is best managed by grazing only the vigorous growth. Production will develop very slowly if grazing begins before good vigor develops. Properly managed and maintained, Rumsey
should not require replanting. Poor stands can be rejuvenated by using appropriate
management practices, such as controlled grazing, applying herbicides and fertilizer, and
prescribed burning at the beginning of spring growth.
Quality remains high while Rumbsey plants are leafy and before seed head emergence.
The average flowering date for Rountree at Elsberry, Missouri, is July 23, and August 25
for Rumsey. The best time to graze is between August 1 and September 15.
For best results, grazing should begin when grasses attain a height of 14 to 18
inches. A minimum height of eight to ten inches should be maintained. A fall height of
12 inches should be attained before frost.
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Upright, clump-forming native grass |
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Good summer and fall color |
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Food and cover for wildlife |
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Excellent forage and hay |
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Biomass/Biofuel usage |
Height48-72 Inches
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Spread24-30 Inches
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Growing & Maintenance TipsGood seedling vigor and superior forage production given normal rainfall. Does not establish well in dry years but once established is drought tolerant.
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Interesting NotesNesting and security cover for pheasants, northern bobwhite, mourning doves, prairie chickens and song birds.
Rumsey is known for rapid growth in mid-to-late summer. It provides excellent cover for upland birds and wildlife, and it is the variety most widely used. The original collection of seeds was from Illinois.
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USDA Hardiness Zone 5-8
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Characteristics & Attributes
