Big Bluestem
http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/plantName/Andropogon-gerardii-
Common Name- Big Bluestem
Other Names- Turkey Foot, Tall Bluestem, Bluejount Beardgrass, Poptillo Gigante
Scientific (Latin) Name- Andropogon Geradii
Plant Family- Poaceae
Seed
http://www.prairiemoon.com/Andropogon-gerardii-Big-Bluestem.html
. less than a fourth of an inch long
. growth starts in late spring and goes through fall
Seedling
http://grownative.org/native-plant-info/seedling-identification/big-bluestem/
. about one inch tall
Juvenile
http://grownative.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bbstem_juv.jpg
. it is four feet tall
Flowering Plant
http://fieldbioinohio.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html
bloom period:
. late summer to fall is the flowering Big Bluestem stage
. the stem turns blueish purple to red in the bloom period
. the leaves turn reddish with yellow flowers in the fall
Roots
. 10- 12 feet long
http://www.prairiemoon.com/Andropogon-gerardii-Big-Bluestem.html
Threatshttp://www.hardytropicals.org/blog/entry/army_worms_are_you_aware_of_them
. army worms in the dry season
. they can live through extreme temperatures
. air pollution
.
Interesting FACTS
. this type of grass was an important food for the American bison, because it was the biggest type of grass there was
.the big bluestem can still get quite aggresive when its astablished in a favorable, undisturbed location but over grazing and land distruction have reduced it to mere patches of its former range
Characteristics
.root type is fiberous
.it need sun, part shade
.water use is low, medium,
. soil is moisture is moist
.it is a warm season grass
habitat:
occurs in dry soils, prairies, open ground and open woods,prefers sandy well-drained soils, can not grow in the shade,requires dry or moist soil.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYSqYCj2CTA
bibliography:
wildflowers of the tallgrass prairie pg.249
tallgrass prairie wild flowers pg. 236
Iowas living roadway/ seedling id guide for native prairie plants
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New Hampton Prairie Wiki!
The Plant Guide Pages are currently under construction by the current 5th Grade Class
(Disclaimer-The information in the Prairie Plant Guide was collected and composed by the 5th graders, we apologize for any inaccuracies.)
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