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bluestem

Scientific Name: Andropogon

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi)

Andropogon gerardi, commonly known as big bluestem, turkeyfoot, tall bluestem, and bluejoint, is a tall grass native to much of North America. It belongs to the Poaceae family.

Common Names

  • Big Bluestem
  • Turkeyfoot
  • Tall Bluestem
  • Bluejoint

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Andropogon gerardi (or gerardii - text shows both)
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

Distribution and Habitat

Big Bluestem is native to much of North America.

Ecological Role

  • This grass is the iconic native grass species of the Midwestern tallgrass prairie.
  • It is used in restoration areas for erosion control.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Big Bluestem is described as a warm-season, perennial bunchgrass.
  • It has blue-green stems that can grow to be 4-8 feet tall.
  • The seedhead is typically branched into three parts.