SafePlants

Caucasian Bluestem

Caucasian Bluestem refers to several species of grass, including Bothriochloa ischaemum and Bothriochloa bladhii. It is also commonly known as Australian Bluestem and Australian Beardgrass. CB is an abbreviation for Caucasian Bluestem (grass). This grass is often grouped as an Old World Bluestem (OWB).

Taxonomy and Nomenclature:

• Scientific Name: Primarily Bothriochloa ischaemum and Bothriochloa bladhii. Some texts also reference Bothriochloa caucasica.
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Synonyms/Alternative Names: Australian Bluestem, Australian Beardgrass, Forest-bluegrass, Plains Bluestem, Purple Plume Grass

Distribution and Habitat:

• Native to subtropical Asia and Africa; Bothriochloa ischaemum is native to subtropical Asia and Africa, with yellow bluestem from southern Europe and Asia.
• Introduced to the United States in 1929 from Russia.

Ecological Role:

• Considered an invasive species, particularly in native grasslands and rangelands.
• Planted in central and southern Great Plains.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits:

• Perennial, warm-season bunchgrass.
• Grows to an average height of two to three feet (20-59 inches, or 50-150cm) tall, and up to 3 feet tall.
• Has finer leaves and is lower growing than native warm-season grasses.
• May have a pale green or blue-gray color, similar to orchardgrass.
• The seed is characterized by a pink open panicle.
• Culms are erect, slender, solid, glabrous, grooved on one side, bearded or glabrous at the nodes.

Caucasian bluestem is sometimes used as a critical area cover plant due to its ability to grow on droughty, acid, sterile sites.

Interactions with Other Organisms:

• Can be used in mixed hay diets for sheep, horses, and other grazing animals such as lucerne.