Also Named: Little False Bluestem,
Bunchgrass
Description An erect, yellowish-tan, tufted grass
(reddish-tan in fall) with spikelets in narrow terminal clusters
on slender stems that intermingle with the leaves.
Flowers: tiny, lacking petals; stamens usually
3; styles 2. Flowers enclosed by scales tipped with long, slender
bristles. Scales
grouped in small spikelets to 1/3" (8 mm) long; the spikelets
in a spike-like cluster to 2 1/2" (6.3 cm) long.
Leaves: blades to 10" (25 cm) long, 1 1/2" (3.8 cm)
wide; slightly folded, sheathe stem at base.
Fruit: purplish or yellow grain.
Height: 1 1/2-4 1/2' (45-135 cm).
Flower August-October.
Habitat Old fields, prairies, open woods.
Range Throughout the United States, except California, Washington,
Oregon, and Nevada.
Discussion This mid-prairie species, also known as Bunchgrass,
gets its name from the bluish color of the stem bases in the
spring, but most striking is the plant's reddish-tan color in
fall, persisting through winter snows. In winter the seeds, fuzzy
white at maturity, are of particular value to small birds. A
related species, Big Bluestem or Turkeyfoot ( Andropogon gerardii),
has finger-like seed heads that somewhat resemble a turkey's
foot. It reaches a height of 12' (3.6 m) in favorable bottomland
sites and is also one of the East's most important native prairie
grasses.
