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yellow bluestem

Scientific Name: Bothriochloa ischaemum

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Yellow Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum)

Yellow bluestem, scientifically known as Bothriochloa ischaemum, is also commonly referred to as King Ranch bluestem, Texas yellow beardgrass, plains bluestem, Turkistan bluestem, and Texas yellow beard grass.

Considerations for Pets

  • This is a grass species.

Considerations for Children

  • This is a grass species.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng
  • Synonym: Andropogon ischaemum (formerly)
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Subordinate Taxa: Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to subtropical Asia and Africa, as well as southern Europe.
  • Introduced to the United States and has spread over much of the southern region, especially Texas and Oklahoma.
  • Originally introduced from areas including the former USSR, China, Turkey, and India for pasture use in Texas.

Ecological Role

  • Considered a non-native, aggressive, and weedy species.
  • It can escape cultivation and endanger native habitats.
  • Poses a threat to rangelands and native biodiversity.
  • Impacts beta diversity in grassland ecosystems.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Warm-season perennial grass.
  • Clump-forming or sometimes forming a sod.
  • Small, blue-gray grass.
  • Flowering stems can grow up to 4 feet tall.
  • Bunchgrass growth form.
  • Plants usually cespitose, occasionally stoloniferous or almost rhizomatous under close grazing or cutting.
  • Culms 30-80(95) cm, stiffly erect nodes glabrous or.

Genetic Information

  • Studies have been conducted to determine the number and morphological features of somatic chromosomes in yellow bluestem.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Selective grazing by cattle has been studied in relation to yellow bluestem.
  • Silky bluestem (Queensland Bluegrass) was brought into Australia with Rhodes grass seed.

Quirky Facts

  • One study refers to a photo of Yellow Bluestem Grass looking "Painted againts Leafless Winter Forest".

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS Database
  • Invasive Plant Atlas
  • TERMIUM (Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank)
  • Dave's Garden (for tips and ideas for gardens)