Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)

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Big Bluestem is a perennial, warm season bunchgrass. It features blueish-green stems. Its seedheads resemble turkey’s foot and seeds mature in the fall. Fall color is maroonish-bronze-tan. Seedheads make attractive fall accents in prairie meadows.

Big Bluestem is quite drought-tolerant when in deep prairie soils. If used in a garden setting, too much water, shade, or fertilizer can cause it to get top-heavy and fall over. It is moderately tolerant of acidity and salinity and can withstand periodic flooding. It forms dense stands that gradually increase in size over time. Plants can over time form a very strong sod. Most of its growth occurring in mid-summer into fall.

Big Bluestem can be used as a meadow grass with wildflowers, a pocket tall grass prairie, or a dramatic garden accent. It provides good erosion control. This native grass thrives in deep soils.
Big Bluestem provides cover for numerous species of wildlife. The Sedge Wren and Meadowlark use it for their nesting sites, and it is a larval host for at least two butterfly species, the Delaware Skipper and the Dusted Skipper.

 

AT A GLANCE

Texas native Yes
Water use Low, medium
Sun exposure Full sun
Bloom time Summer, fall
Mature height 3-6 ft
Mature spread 3 ft
Attracts Birds, butterflies
Host plant Delaware Skipper, Dusted Skipper butterflies
Deer resistant Yes
Notes Provides nesting material or site for native bees.

 

DISTRIBUTION MAPS 

USDA MAP

BONAP MAP

 Present in state
 Present in county and native
 Native to North America, but adventive & escaped in state         
 Not present in state
 Present and rare, native in county
 Previously present, now extinct
 Questionable presence (cross-hatched, regardless of color)