''Schizachyrium scoparium'', commonly known as little bluestem or beard grass, is a species of
North America
North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
n
prairie grass native to most of the contiguous United States (except California, Nevada, and Oregon) as well as a small area north of the
Canada–US border and northern Mexico. It is most common in the
Midwestern prairies and is one of the most abundant native plants in Texas grasslands.
Little bluestem is a
perennial bunchgrass and is prominent in
tallgrass prairie, along with
big bluestem (''Andropogon gerardi''),
indiangrass (''Sorghastrum nutans'') and
switchgrass (''Panicum virgatum''). It is a
warm-season species, meaning it employs the C
4 photosynthetic pathway.
Description
Little bluestem grows to become an upright, roundish mound of soft, bluish-green or grayish-green blades in May and June that is about two to three feet high. In July, it initiates flowering stalks, which reach four to five feet in height. In fall, it displays a coppery or mostly orange color with tints of red or purple. Sometimes it displays in some places, as in sandy soils, a redder fall color. It becomes a more orangish-bronze in winter until early spring, when it becomes more tan.
Cultivation
It is recommended for USDA zones 3 to 10.
The plant grows best in full sun and on well-drained
soils. It can be dug up and divided in spring, as many other perennials, for propagation or to reduce the size of an old, big plant. It can be burned in late winter or early spring in a prairie or meadow before new growth, like many American prairie grasses (big bluestem, Indian-grass, and switchgrass), which burn quickly and cleanly.
Cultivars
A number of
cultivars have been developed. 'Carousel' is a compact form with especially good fall color developed by Chicagoland Grows. 'The Blues' is a selection that has bluer foliage. 'Standing Ovation' is a tight, upright form with bluer and thicker blades and sturdier stems.
Subdivisions
One
variety, var. ''littorale'', is native to the eastern and southern coastal strip of the United States, as well as the shores of the
Great Lakes. It is adapted to
sand dune
A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, fl ...
habitat, and is sometimes considered a separate species, ''S. littorale''.
Culture
Little bluestem is the official state grass of
Nebraska and
Kansas.
Ecology
Little bluestem is drought tolerant, and is a larval host to the
cobweb skipper,
common wood nymph,
,
Dakota skipper
''Hesperia dacotae'', the Dakota skipper, is a small to medium-sized North American butterfly. It has a wingspan of approximately one inch and the antennae form a hook. The male's wings are a tawny-orange to brown on the forewings with a promine ...
,
dusted skipper
''Atrytonopsis hianna'', the dusted skipper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found in the United States from eastern Wyoming, central Colorado, northern New Mexico and central Texas east to New Hampshire and Massachusetts, south ...
,
Indian skipper,
,
Ottoe skipper
''Hesperia ottoe'', the Ottoe skipper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae.
It is found in the central U.S. but has been recorded in Canada only in a small area of southern Manitoba.[swarthy skipper
''Nastra lherminier'', the swarthy skipper, is a species of grass skipper in the butterfly family Hesperiidae
Skippers are a family of the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) named the Hesperiidae. Being diurnal, they are generally called but ...]
.
[The Xerces Society (2016), ''Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects'', Timber Press.]
Image:Schizachyrium scoparium - JBM.jpg
Image:Little_Bluestem.jpg
Image:SchizachyriumScoparium.jpg
References
External links
*
Missouri Botanical Garden's Kemper Center for Home GardeningLittle Bluestem on Kansas Native Plant Society
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3013856
scoparium
Bunchgrasses of North America
Warm-season grasses of North America
Garden plants of North America
Grasses of the United States
Flora of the Western United States
Flora of the Eastern United States
Native grasses of the Great Plains region
Flora of the United States
Grasses of Canada
Flora of the Canadian Prairies
Plants described in 1903
Flora without expected TNC conservation status