Andropogon gerardi
big bluestem
Overview
Andropogon gerardi is a tall, warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to the prairies of central North America, where it was a dominant species of the tallgrass prairie. It forms upright clumps of blue-green foliage in summer that reach 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m), with flowering stems rising to 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m). The flat leaf blades are 0.25-0.5 inch (6-12 mm) wide and hairy at the base, shifting from blue-green to shades of bronze, copper, and reddish-purple in autumn and holding tan color through winter. From late summer into fall the stems carry seed heads split into three finger-like spikes, a form behind the alternative name turkey foot. The deep, fibrous roots reach 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) down, anchoring the plant against drought, fire, and grazing and building soil over time. It grows in full sun on a wide range of soils, from sand to clay, and tolerates both seasonal drought and brief flooding. In rich soil or shade the tall stems lean and flop. The foliage shelters and feeds grassland birds, insects, and the caterpillars of several skipper butterflies.
Native Range
Native to central and eastern North America, from the Great Plains east to the Atlantic and from Canada south into Mexico. It was a principal grass of the tallgrass prairie and grows in prairies, meadows, open woodland, and roadsides on most well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Used in prairie restorations, meadow plantings, naturalistic borders, and erosion control on banks and slopes. It serves as a tall background grass, a screen, and a forage and conservation grass on rangeland.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 8'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering and seed heads appear from August into October on the tall stems. Each head splits into three spike-like branches that release wind-pollinated flowers with purplish to reddish anthers. Seed ripens through autumn and the dried heads persist into winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Blue-green, bronze-red in autumnGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
