Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲▼ basal leaves

▲ commencement of flowering stems

▲ mature, flowering plant

Andropogon gerardii:  Big Bluestem

Location near campus:  in native plant bed toward southeast corner of Master Gardener areas north  of Botanical Center Building in Nathanael Green park at the Botanical Center; in front of wall on north side of drive into the Darr Agricultural Center.

·         native warm-season prairie bunchgrass, with about ¼ inch wide and 12-24 inch long blue-green leaves

·         grows 4-10’ tall

·         produces 3-5 greenish-brown to reddish-brown or purplish-brown spikes in a digitate panicle at tips and along sides of flowering stems in mid to late summer

·         foliage turns orange-brown in winter

·         prefers moist, well-drained soils and needs full sun for best growth

·         too much water or fertilization will cause weaker stems that will fall over and not remain upright

·         native to Missouri