Tall bunching grass with broad blue-green blades.  

Large plume-like golden seed heads in late summer to fall, turning deep orange to purple in late fall.

Seeds become food for birds and small mammals.

The grass provides nesting material to birds and native bees.

Larval host of the Salt-and-Pepper Skipper butterfly.

Grows in prairies, fields, open woods and slopes.

New York native.