Andropogon gerardii (Native)

Non-native plants this species can replace:
Common Name
Big bluestem
Big blue stem
Bluestem
Turkeyfoot
Plant Form
Grasses, Sedges & Rushes
Duration
Perennial
Max Height (ft)
8.0
Width (ft)
2.0 - 3.0
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain
Hardiness Zone
5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Photographer: naturalpriest
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Photographer: naturalpriest
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Additional Info

Habitat: Dry woodlands, barrens, and outcrops of limestone, dolostone, mafic rocks, and moderately to strongly calcareous shales and sandstones; riverside prairies and outcrops, rocky and gravelly river shores and bars, clearings, fens, alluvial meadows and fields. Frequent and locally common in the Virginia Piedmont and mountains; rare in the Coastal Plain.

Wildlife Value: Members of the genus Andropogon support Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) larvae. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar. This plant also supports various Skipper larvae as well as other butterfly larvae

High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife

Flower Color
Blue
Brown/Copper
Red/burgandy
Flower Prominence
Reduced
Bloom Time
Late Summer
Fall
Bloom Month
July
August
September
October
Light Requirements
Full sun
Moisture Requirements
Moist
Average
Soil Texture
Clay
Sandy

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