Houston black (soil)

The series is composed of expansive clays and is considered one of the classic vertisols.[1] Houston black soils are used extensively for grain sorghum, cotton, corn, small grain, and forage grasses.In their natural state, they support mostly tall and mid grass prairies of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), with some elm (Ulmus spp.[2][3] The soil also shrinks and swells with variations in how much water it contains.[4] In the USDA taxonomic system it is designated an "Udic Haplusterts".
Texas blackland prairiesstate soilvertisolssorghumAndropogon gerardiBouteloua curtipendulaPanicum virgatumSchizachyrium scopariumSorghastrum nutansCeltisProsopis glandulosaPedology (soil study)Soil typesList of U.S. state soilsagriculture