Andropogon scoparius Michx. - Little Bluestem


 

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Andropogon scoparius - (image 1 of 4)

 

Taxonomy

Family: Poaceae

 

Most authorities now call this plant Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash.

Habitat

Wide-ranging, a plant of dry soils. Major component of tall-grass and mixed-grass prairies.

Associates

 

Distribution

New Brunswick and Quebec west to Alberta, south to FL and Mexico.

Morphology

A low, perennial bunch grass 0.5-1.2 m tall. Blades to 10" long, 1.5" wide, slightly folded, sheathe stem at base. Racemes solitary at the ends of peduncles.

Notes

Flowers early August to late September.

Wetland indicator: Facultative Upland -

There are many cultivars of this species. The typical species is quite ornamental, with blue-green foliage in spring, showy flowers in summer and reddish-brown fall color.

References

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

 

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

 


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© Michael Hough 2004