Native Warm-Season Grasses for Mid-South Forage Production

Vigorous Summer Growth Peak growth of these grasses occurs during summer. They break dormancy in late March and early April and then grow rapidly from mid-May through midsummer. In late summer, growth slows until fall dormancy, usually in October. The maturity dates of the various species vary somewhat, but all follow this pattern. They remain dormant through winter. Five Key Species While there are many species of grasses native to the Mid-South, this publication will focus on five species that are important for forage production: big bluestem, little bluestem, indiangrass, switchgrass and eastern gamagrass.