Andropogon glomeratus (Walter) Britton, Sterns, & Poggenb.

Andropogon glomeratus (Walter) Britton, Sterns, & Poggenb. View in CoL [ Poaceae ]

Andropogon glomeratus (sensu stricto) is reported as new to Indiana in Ripley County based on collections in 2013, 2020 and 2021. It was originally discovered in the state by Daniel Boone , Ben Walker and Alex Wardwell at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge , and to date this is the only location known for this species in Indiana, though it occurs at various places within the preserve. This distinctive grass occurs along gravel roadsides, sometimes in shallow ditches and occasionally with species more typical of clay barrens, as well as in marshes with species that have an affinity to the coastal plain of the eastern United States .

This species is common along portions of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coastal plains of the southeastern United States, with more scattered occurrences in the interior of the southeastern United States ( Kartesz 2015; Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2022a). It is considered globally secure (G5T5 [as A. glomeratus var. glomeratus ]) and secure in the United States (N5); it has not been given a subnational conservation status rank in most of the states in which it occurs, but where ranked it ranges from vulnerable (S3) towards the northern portion of its range to apparently secure (S4) to secure (S5, S5?) further south ( NatureServe 2023). In Indiana, the conservation status of A. glomeratus has not yet been determined (SNR), but it is being treated as a native species that has naturally moved into the state. It is not currently on the list of Endangered, Threatened, and Extirpated Plants of Indiana ( Indiana Department of Natural Resources 2022).

Voucher Specimens: INDIANA. Ripley Co.: Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, along eroded roadsides, very barren like, 18 Sep 2013, D. Boone, B. Walker & A. Wardwell 1434-013 (JEF); Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, in coastal marsh, 39.0102, –85.4163, 27 Aug 2020, S. Namestnik, R. Hedge, J.Larson, K. Flickinger & M.Swenson 4552 (IND);Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge,along roadside between road and flatwoods, associated species: Acer rubrum , Agrostis gigantea , Apios americana , Coleataenia anceps , Coleataenia rigidula , Daucus carota , Desmodium paniculatum , Dichanthelium microcarpon , Doellingeria umbellata , Eupatorium hyssopifolium , Helenium flexuosum , Juncus anthelatus , Juncus biflorus , Liquidambar styraciflua , Ludwigia alternifolia , Nyssa sylvatica , Quercus palustris , Rhynchospora capitellata , Scirpus georgianus , Solidago juncea , Solidago nemoralis , Solidago rugosa , Spiraea tomentosa , Symphyotrichum racemosum , Toxicodendron radicans , 39.03864, –85.42616, 5 Aug 2021, S. Namestnik, J.Robb, D. Boone & J.Bens 5104 (BUT,IND).