Broomsedge, Sedge Grass, Sage Grass
Andropogon virginicus L.)
Poaceae (Grass Family)
▲ new growth from established plant in early summer
▲ broomsedge at beginning of flowering
▲ flattened leaf sheaths and hairs on leaf blade margins
▲▼ dried flowering stems, showing sheath-like leaves that surround inflorescences
▼ ▲ orange-brown color of dried broomsedge in fall and winter
Broomsedge:
· native, warm-season perennial bunch-type grass, 2-3' tall
· related to native big and little bluestem grasses
· upright growth habit, grey-green foliage color
· hairs at base of leaves
· inflorescences are several short spike enclosed in leaf sheaths along flowering stem
· high populations of broomsedge usually indicate acid, low-fertility, over-grazed land
· palatable when young, but soon becomes stemmy and of low preference to cattle