A clump-forming, columnar, warm season grass that grows 3 ft. tall with flower heads rising 3 ft. above the foliage. Medium green leaves turn yellow, sometimes with orange tints, in autumn, fading to tan in winter. Foliage is topped in mid-summer by finely-textured, pink-tinged, branched flower heads. Flower heads turn beige in fall with the seed plumes persisting well into winter. Birds feed on the seed and plants provide cover for wildlife. Sometimes spreads by rhizomes and seed. Grows well in poorly drained clay soil. Host to grass skippers such as Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Sachem (Atalopedes campestris), Peck’s Skipper (Polites peckius), Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles), and Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan).

Switchgrass flower heads.