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{{SPlantbox
{{SPlantbox
|familia=Poaceae
|familia=Poaceae
|genus=Sporobolus
|genus=Sporobolus
|species=heterolepsis
|species=heterolepsis
|common_name=Prairie dropseed
|common_name=Prairie dropseed
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|exposure=sun
|exposure=sun
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|features=flowers
|features=flowers, birds
|flower_season=early summer, mid summer, late summer
|flower_season=early summer, mid summer, late summer
|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|max_zone=9
|max_zone=9
|image=Upload.png
|image=Sporobolus heterolepis - Tower Hill Botanic Garden.JPG
|image_width=240
|image_width=240
}}
}}
The '''Prairie dropseed''' (''Sporobolus heterolepis'') is a species of [[prairie]] grass native to a widespread area of the [[US]] (from the Mid-West to the eastern seaboard and [[Canada]]. Taking up to five years to mature from seed, the adult dropseed can range from 1-4 feet tall and can survive over multiple growing seasons, as it is a [[perennial plant]]. They favor moist to drier soils, however, it is drought-resistant but is not found in wetlands. Its long luscious green leaves grow in bunches around a circular base and are no more than 1/8th of an inch wide. The leaves range in color from a rich green hue in summer to a golden rust complexion in the fall. From late July to mid-September, the grass blooms with rusty-tan flowers. The grass is favored by decorative landscapers because of its tendency to grow in [[bunches]]. The seedhead is sometimes described as having the vague scent of fresh popcorn, [[cilantro]], or [[sunflower]] seeds.
[[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] were known to ground the seeds of the grass to make a tasty flour, and several species of [[birds]] find the grainy seeds a very edible treat. Dropseed is used first and foremost, even above [[big bluestem]] and [[Indian grass]], in prairie restoration since it is a good indication of prairie [[ecosystem]] vitality.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
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<gallery perrow=5>
File:Sporobolus heterolepis - Berlin Botanical Garden - IMG 8612.JPG| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
