Big Blue Stem
Andropogon gerardii
Poaceae
Other names
Beard Grass, Shepherd'S Beard
Growth habit
Grass/Sedge
Perennation
Long-lived polycarpic perennial
Native distribution
Native to the Finger Lakes Region, North America East of the Rockies
Location
Mundy Wildflower Garden, Houston and Grossman Ponds, Coy Glen
Source of plant
Kurt Bluemel Inc., Dan Keiser
Description
Perennial to 2m, forming large clumps, producing short stolons. Rhizomes short or absent. Leaves sheathed; basal sheaths and leaves glaucous and villous; blades flat, to 1cm wide, margins rough. Infloresence composed of 3-6 purple-tinged racemes to 10cm, terminal on far-exserted peduncle; rachis straight, joints pubescent; bisexual spikelet to 1cm; lower glume sulcate, hispid; awn twisted at base, bent, to 2cm; stalked spikelet male, not reduced.
USDA Hardiness Zone
4
Special characteristics
fall color
Status
L3|S5|G5