Image of Sporobolus heterolepis
Source: David D Stang
image of Grass
Sporobolus heterolepis
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobole à glumes inégales

Obsolete Names

northern dropseed
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Green Bloom period: Aug - Oct
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Sporobolus heterolepis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Sporobolus heterolepis

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Sporobolus heterolepis

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Miscanthus (Silvergrass)
  • Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass)
  • Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass)
  • Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator: Seeds easily fall off when you gently pull them off
  • Harvesting mean: Use hand to detach from main stem
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.