Little
Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
Description:
Little Bluestem is native warm season perennial mid-grass that grows in
clumps has a fibrous root system which penetrates to depths of 1˝ meters. It grows
from May until frost and achieves heights up to more than one meter.
Leaf: In early growth the leaves are 3-8 mm wide,
flattened at their base. Where the blades join the sheath is a narrow, whitish
transverse line. The leaves are folded. This feature helps distinguish Little
Bluestem from Big Bluestem. It addition Little Bluestem lacks hairiness on
sheaths and lower portions.
Flower: Flowers are scattered along the upper parts
of nearly vertical side stalks, with long hairs creating a feathery appearance.
There is a single, white-hairy, elongate flower cluster at the tip of each
stalk. The seeds have bristle-like awns.
Blooming months: mid-August - mid-September
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Discussion:
Little Bluestem is spectacular in fall and winter, especially with snow.
Its color is a rich russet, bronze, or maroon. Little Bluestem is a superb
forage for tame and wild grazers and makes a lovely addition to a garden. It
doesn’t take over as some grasses do.
Distribution:
Little Bluestem is found in virtually all the natural grasslands of the
Native
or Introduced to
Location:
N41048.677’ W089040.972’
Copyright:
© 2004 Nancy Trainor,
References:
Keller, Carolyn. Prairie Plants of
Ladd, Doug. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers, The Nature Conservancy, 1995.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Wildflowers Northeastern/North Central
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie
Plants of
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