Eastern Gamagrass is a stout, native perennial grass grown from Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle to the east coast. This grass was once abundant on hundreds of thousands of acres but is now common only in areas protected from grazing because of its high palatability to livestock. With robust stems and strong rhizomes, this grass will reach heights of 3 to 8 feet. It grows in fertile bottomland, swamps and along streambanks and, under good management, can be found in upland areas as well.

       This grass has good forage value for livestock. It also provides excellent cover and nesting area for wildlife. Eastern gamagrass has a long inflorescence with large seeds that are used by numerous species of birds and small mammals for food.