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bluestem
Scientific Name: Andropogon gayanus
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Andropogon gerardi: Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardi, commonly known as big bluestem, turkeyfoot, tall bluestem, or bluejoint, is a tall grass species native to much of North America.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Andropogon gerardi (or gerardii - note the spelling variation)
- Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
- Common Names: Big bluestem, turkeyfoot, tall bluestem, bluejoint
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to much of North America.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Big Bluestem is a warm season, perennial bunchgrass.
- It has blue-green stems that grow to be 4-8 feet tall.
- The seedhead is usually branched into three parts.
Ecological Role
- It is the iconic native grass species of the Midwestern tallgrass prairie.
- It is used in restoration areas for erosion control.