Plant of the Month: August, 1998

by Russell Stevens

Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium

Characteristics: A native, warm-season, perennial bunchgrass adapted to a variety of sites. It is one of the most widely distributed native grasses and the most dominant plant of the Tallgrass Prairie. Properly managed, little bluestem can spread by seed, tillers and short underground rootstocks (rhizomes). Can be killed out and replaced by less productive plants under poor management.

Area of Importance: All of the Great Plains.

Attributes: Little bluestem provides good grazing for cattle during the growing season and fair grazing during the winter when supplemented with protein. Little bluestem can produce up to two tons of forage on some sites. Drought resistant. Bobwhite quail favor its "bunchgrass" growth form to nest in, preferring the open centers of mature plants. Little bluestem also provides nesting cover and habitat for other species of birds as well as screening cover for deer, coyotes, etc.

Problems: Requires the proper use of management tools such as grazing and fire to maintain desired growth form and stage.

I.D. Tip: Leaf shoots at the base of the plant are flat and bluish colored. Its bunchgrass growth form means that it grows in a tight bunch or clump. Mature plants are reddish brown in color after frost.

Hundreds of plants are identified in the Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery.