• Home
• Our Animals
• North America
• Exhibits

• Animal Exhibits
• Animals at the Zoo
• Animal Facts
• Meet a Zoo Biologist
• North America News
• North America for Kids
• Conservation & Science
• Send an E-card
• Photo Gallery
• Black-footed Ferret Cam

Grasslands cover a third of the Earth's land surface. Grassland plants are mostly grasses and forbs (herbaceous broadleaf plants or wildflowers). The prairie is a particular type of "grassland." In some areas, native prairie can include up to 200 species of plants. The American Prairie exhibit at the National Zoo displays more than 110 varieties of grasses and forbs.

Prairie Smoke

The Prairie Plant Discovery Trail describes the features of grasslands and the harsh environmental conditions impacting this habitat.

For landscaping purposes, some non-native prairie grasses are planted throughout and around the exhibit.

Prairie Plants

The Prairie Plant Discovery Trail highlights a selection of blooming plants found in the prairie. The trail gives visitors an opportunity to see more than 60 species of plants along the trail. Beginning at the entrance to the American Prairie exhibit (near the Prairie Overlook Cafe), follow the trail to observe the flowering plants and prairie grasses. Along the trail, signs describe some of the traditional human ceremonial, food, and medicinal uses of the plants. The highlighted plants are listed in the order they appear along the trail.

Flowering Plants Identified with Signs

Left Side of the Trail

Right Side of the Trail

Flowering Plants without Signs

Prairie Grasses

Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) is found in the Midwest and Eastern United States. Big bluestem is what gives sections of the prairie the name "tallgrass prairie." This grass grows in tufted bunches with long stalks and may grow to 7 feet or taller. Portions of the shorter, round stems are frequently blue or purple in color. The leaves are rolled into the shape of a tube in the buds and gradually unroll as they emerge. This plant was used by Native Americans to treat digestive problems. Big bluestem is considered a summer grass.

Cord grass (Spartina pectinata) is found in wet prairies, prairie marshes, and throughout the tallgrass region. This stout-stemmed grass can reach up to 10 feet tall, with leaves up to 4 feet long. Each stem is topped by an elongated cluster of small branches. Each side branch consists of numerous straw-colored flowers in a comb-like arrangement. This plant has been used in traditional structures for thatching and also as a fuel. Cord grass is considered a midsummer to early fall grass.

Grasses Planted throughout the American Prairie Exhibit

Indian grass (Sorghastrum avenaceum) is found from the eastern U.S. to the Dakotas and Arizona. This grass survives repeated burnings. The flowering stems reach up to 7 feet tall with plants occurring in dense tufts or single stems mixed with other grasses. The leaves can reach 2 feet in length and are tapered. The flower heads are initially chestnut brown and fade to grayish-brown as they age. Indian grass is considered a midsummer to early-fall grass.


Little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) is a widespread grass and is most common throughout the United States except California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. This plant is one of the most characteristic tallgrass-prairie plants and can adapt to both acidic and alkaline soils. The clustered grass grows up to 4 feet tall. The leaves are folded lengthwise in the bud and unfold as they emerge. After a frost, the leaves turn a handsome bronzed orange. Little bluestem is considered a midsummer to fall grass.

Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) is found from Nova Scotia to Wyoming and south to Mexico. This grass grows in relatively wet areas, but it has been found to live in drier areas as well, particularly over alkaline limestone. The flowering stems may grow up to 6 feet tall but are generally 4 feet tall or less. As fall approaches, this plant turns deep red. Switch grass is considered a summer to early-fall grass.

Grass Photos ©K.R. Robertson