1 Plants with leaves not parallel-veined.. See Prairie Forbs Identification Key
1' Plants with narrow, long leaves that are parallel-veined..........................................2
2(1') Inflorescence (flower cluster) arching, leaves 1-3 feet tall........................................................................................Prairie brome grass
2' Inflorescence not arching..............................................................................3
3(2') Inflorescence shaped like a turkey's foot, leaves 3-7 feet tall.................................................................................................Big bluestem
3' Inflorescence not shaped like a turkey's foot......................................................4
4(3') Inflorescence fuzzy, growing in a clump, leaves 1-3 feet tall...............................................................................................Little bluestem
4' Inflorescence not appearing fuzzy........................................................................................................5
5(4') Clump, with long, narrow basal leaves only and smells like burnt popcorn when in bloom, leaves 1-3 feet tall........................................................................................Prairie dropseed
5' Basal leaves present, but the flowering stem is taller and contains a few leaves.......................................................................................................6
6(5') Inflorescence appearing feather-like, leaves 3-6 feet tall..............................Indian grass
6' Inflorescence not appearing feather-like............................................................7
7(6') Inflorescence widely branched, leaf edges not sharp, leaves 3-6 feet
tall..................................................................................................Switch grass
7' Inflorescence appearing cone-like with leaf edges very sharp, leaves 3-6 feet tall...........................................................................................Prairie cord grass
Note: Inflorescence - the discrete flowering portion or portions of a plant.