Visit
the Smithsonian's Grasses and Forbs
| 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
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
| Common Yarrow | Achillea millefolium |
| Blazing Star | Liatris spicata |
| Sweet Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia subtomentosa |
| Rattlesnake Master | Eryngium yuccifolium sp. |
| Stiff Tickweed | Coreopsis palmata |
| New York Aster | Aster sp. |
| Blazing Star | Liatris aspera |
| Sneezeweed | Helenium autumnale |
| Jerusalem Artichoke | Helianthus tuberosus |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa |
| Downy Sunflower | Helianthus mollis |
Right Side of the Trail
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
| Wild Bergamot | Monarda fistulosa |
| Evening Primrose | Oenothera biennis |
| Queen of the Prairie | Fillipendula rubra |
| Sweetflag | Acorus calamus |
| Horsetail | Equisetum hyemale |
| White Turtlehead | Chelone glabra |
Flowering Plants without Signs
Common Name
|
Scientific Name
|
| Blue-Flag | Iris versicolor |
| Branched Coneflower | Rudbeckia triloba |
| Cardinal Flower | Lobelia cardinalis |
| Lizard's Tail | Saururus ceruus |
| New Jersey Tea/Snowball | Ceanothus americanus |
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea angutifolia |
| Rough-stemmed Goldenrod | Solidago rugosa |
| Round-headed Bush Clover | Lespedeza capitata |
| Sweet Grass | Hierochloe odorata |
| Yellow Coneflower | Ratibida pinnata |
| Prairie Smoke | Geum triflorum |
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
Common Name
|
Scientific Name
|
| Big Bluestem | Andropogon gerardii |
| Blue Grama | Bouteloua gracilis |
| Cord Grass | Spartina pectinata |
| Gammagrass | Tripsacum dactyloides |
| Indian Grass | Sorghastrum venaceum |
| Indian Rice Grass | Achnatherum hymenoides |
| Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium |
| Needle and Thread | Hesperostpa comata |
| Prairie Three Awn | Aristida oligantha |
| Redtop | Tridens flavus |
| Switch Grass | Panicum virgatum |
| Western Wheatgrass | Elymus smithii |
| Sideoats Grama Grass | Bouteloua curtipendula |
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
