Plant Preference/Growing Conditions: Prairie Dropseed prefers full sun exposure, as well as well-drained, rocky soils. It is a very-low maintenance plant, and has very few pest problems. One main preference of the dropseed, though, is that old foliage should be burned before the growing season starts in spring.

Growth Habit/Description: Prairie Dropseed grows about 2-3 feet tall, with numerous very narrow leaves that are either flat or rolled. Seeds produced by this plant drop to the ground, and smell like coriander, hence the name dropseed.

Bloom Season: In mid- to late summer, Prairie Dropseed grows 3-8 inch long flower heads at the end of each slender leaf, each head holding numerous very small pink or brown flowers.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?: In Fall, the Prarie Dropseed turns a golden bronze with orange, sometimes with orange or copper highlights. It also resists being flattened by snow.

Host Plant for Caterpillars?  Prairie Dropseed is a host plant for Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek) and the Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae).

Other Known Ecological Value? Prarie Dropseed can provide overwinter nesting for small animals.

Origin of Name: Hetero  means different and Lepis means scales.

Related Plant Species:   There are many different species in the genera Sporobolus. Sporobolus Gianteus is the largest, the smallest is Sporobolus Neglectus.

Use For Food/Medicine: The seeds of the Dropseed can be ground into flour. 

Mahr, S. (2025), Prairie Dropseed: Sporobolus Heterolepis, Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension 

Available at:https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/prairie-dropseed-sporobolus-heterolepis/

Prairie Dropseed, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

Available At: https://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/factsheets/15738.pdf

Prairie Dropseed, Prairie Nursery

Available At: https://www.prairienursery.com/prairie-dropseed-sporobolus-heterolepis.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqfkxytDYhXf3kbxo0ZT495q71RtmoOU9JIM2DLIW7k4COgWaCo

Entry created by Cael Arnold, September 2025.