![]() ![]() Genus name comes from the Greek words aner or andros meaning man and pogon meaning beard in reference to the hairs on the spikelets of some species in the genus. Flowering stems bring total height of this grass to 4-8' tall (typically at the taller end in moist soils and the shorter end in dry soils). Flowering stems rise in late summer above the foliage clump bearing purplish 3-parted, finger-like flower clusters (to 4" long) purportedly resembling turkey feet (hence the additional common name of turkeyfoot grass for this species). It features an upright clump of stems with flattened leaves (to 2' long and 3/8" wide) which emerge gray to blue green in spring, mature to green with red tinges in summer and turn reddish bronze with lavender tones in autumn after frost. It may be grown as an ornamental grass because of its attractive foliage which changes color seasonally, its good architectural height and its interesting flower/seed heads. Try to use a local ecotype if possible when restoring native vegetation in an area.Andropogon gerardii, commonly called big bluestem grass, is a tall, Missouri native, perennial, warm season grass that was the dominant grass of the tallgrass prairie which once covered large parts of the Midwest. Several varieties of big blue are available from commercial seed producers. Fertilizer is generally not recommended, as it typically promotes weedy competition. The higher rates are generally used for erosion control and grazing. For wildlife (quail) habitat establishment, use the lower rate. Seeding rate for big bluestem ranges from 4 to 12 pounds per acre, depending on future use. It is very important to kill all non-native pasture grasses prior to planting native warm season grasses. ![]() A native seed no-till drill may also be used. It is best established by conventional tillage, if possible. In the longleaf pine ecosystem, the perennial big bluestem contributes to the fine flashy fuel needed for the maintenance of the ecosystem.īluestem can be used in the restoration of native vegetation in agricultural or pasture areas. Bobwhite quail and other ground-nesting birds use this clump-forming grass for nesting and forage cover. As with the other bluestems, big blue also provides excellent wildlife habitat. This species is also a good native choice for grazing forage and is very palatable to livestock. Once it has been established, however, it provides excellent stability for sandy areas. ![]() Big blue is commonly used in erosion control plantings although it is sometimes slow to get started. However, it can tolerate a wide variety of well-drained soils and typically does well on low fertility sites. “Big blue” as it is commonly called is a climax prairie species. Individual seed heads often have three spikelets that look like a turkey foot. The seed head is coarse and not fluffy as in other bluestems. The rhizomes are short and scaly and the color of the leaves varies from light yellow-green to burgundy. This species is large and robust as bluestems go, with mature plants commonly reaching 6 to 8 feet in height. It is found from the mid-western short grass prairies to the coastal plain, where it naturally serves as fuel for periodic fire. Big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii)īig bluestem is a warm-season grass native to the eastern two thirds of the United States. ![]() Photo by Sally and Andy Wasowski, Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photos by Jennifer Anderson, USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.įlowering big bluestem and syrphid fly. States are colored green where the species may be found.Īndropogon gerardii. ![]()
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