Native Plants of the Great Lakes
North Branch Restoration Project:
Native Plant and Seed Collection
grass Andropogon Gerardii / Family: Poaceae
Big Bluestem, Swink/Wilhelm # 4
FLOWERING: July to September
SEED TIMING: Mid-September to mid-November
HABITAT: Dry, mesic, and moist prairie
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES: Tall grass to 6 feet or more, often
growing in dense clumps or tufts. Seed panicle resembles a turkey’s
foot with 3 to 5 digits. Reddish blue stem; arching leaf blades in
dense clumps have reddish edge. Spreads through underground stems or
rhizomes as well as by seed. Lower sheath and leaves of young plants
have silky hairs and young shoots are somewhat flattened.
TO PICK: Seed should be a shiny mahogany brown and pull
easily off the stalk when stripped. Apply a little more pressure
than with Indian grass. |
