Big Bluestem Grass Facts: Here's All You Need To Know

Big bluestem grass is also commonly known as 'turkey foot', 'blue joint', and 'tall bluestem'.

These grasses are native plants of central and eastern North America. Big bluestem is taller than other typical grasses found in the area.

It is preferred by ranchers and cattle breeders as fodder due to its nutritional value and adaptability to different types of soil and climate. Big bluestem has to be left undisturbed for a long time for substantial growth volume; hence it is more suitable for rotational grazing. It is often planted when raising an ornamental garden.

Big Bluestem Grass Classification

In terms of scientific classification, it has undergone many revisions.

The scientific name of big bluestem grass is Andropogon Gerardi.

It was named by Fulgenzio Vitman, an Italian botanist, in 1972.

'Gerardi' is based on the name of French botanist Louis Gerard who first identified and described this grass breed.

The big bluestem belongs to the Plantae kingdom, Poales order, Poaceae family, Panicoedeae subfamily, and Andropogon species.

Variants of grasses that are closely related to big bluestem include sand bluestem that grows on sandy mountains of the United States and is yellowish in color.

Yellow bluestem grows on similar terrain as sandy bluestem

Bush bluestem grows on infertile land and is unsuitable for forage.

Silver bluestem and little bluestem previously belonged to the same species of 'Andropogon,' but after several reclassifications, they now belong to the species of 'Schizachyrium.'

Little bluestem reaches an average height of 59 in (1.5 m) and is found in dry tallgrass prairie grasslands in the US.

Silver bluestem's height can range from 24-50 in (0.6-1.3 m).

They produce silver flowers, hence receiving the name.

Silver and little bluestem are both shorter than big bluestem grass.

Both of them are used as forage grass in the southern part of the United States.

Physical Features Of Big Bluestem Grass

Below you will find some facts about the physical features of this type of grass.

The big bluestem grass has deep roots that can go up to 118 in (3 m) into the Earth.

Attributing to its long roots, this grass is planted for erosion control.

It grows in the form of a lump or tussock.

Big bluestem has strong horizontal roots, called 'rhizomes,' hence it can also be rolled into sods (turf grass).

They spread or propagate with the help of rhizomes and seeds.

As the name suggests, the grass is blue in color.

The base of the grass stalks turns blue or purple upon maturity.

The length of the grass depends upon the moisture content of the soil.

Big bluestem grass can grow as tall as 78 in (2 m).

The stems of these grasses are solid and flat, which is different from the stems of other similar grass species, which are hollow.

The prairie grasses are rich in protein. Hence, it is generously used as forage and hay for cattle.

It is considered an ecologically important breed of grass because of its deep roots that prevent soil erosion.

It is especially effective on farmed and grazed land.

Big bluestem is often planted for drought management, natural landscaping, and grassland restoration.

It is also a preferable choice of grass to restore native vegetation in an area.

These wildflowers can provide cover from birds and enrich the land for other plants and crops as well.

The foliage of big bluestem grasses is eaten by herbivorous wildlife such as deer and bison.

The many benefits of big bluestem led to the development of its improved strains.

The big bluestem breed called bison has the ability to grow in colder climates such as northern grasslands.

Eldorado and Earl germinate more aggressively; hence, they are grown for wildlife forage.

Other big bluestem types are Niagra, Roundtree, and Kaw.

Habitat Requirement Of Big Bluestem Grass

This grass is native to one-third of the United States.

Illinois and Missouri in the United States consider it as their state grass.

Manobita, Canada, has awarded big bluestem with the title of 'official prairie grass.'

It is a perennial tallgrass species that grows in a wide range of soil types, including dry and low fertility soil.

It should be ideally grown on sandy or loamy soil.

Big bluestem grass is adapted to prairie, arid zone wood, and grassland ecosystem.

It is a mild-succession grass species that naturally evolved to be more beneficial to the ecosystem and nature.

It grows and progresses very strongly in favorable environments.

The native warm-season grasses require full sun and have an aversion to shade.

This plant species has adapted itself to be resistant to not only erosion but also drought and, to some extent, fire.

It is host to a number of insects which include different types of butterflies, skippers, and nymphs.

The larvae of some beetles and butterflies feed on the roots of this tallgrass.

Many ants camp at the base of big bluestem grass by forming mounds; other ants decorate their mounds with seeds from the wildflowers.

Apart from insects and ants, it is also home to many small mammals and birds: ground-nesting birds such as bobwhite quail use this grass for building nests.

Rust fungus can develop on the leaves of big bluestem.

Fertilizer is not required for growing these plants, while extremely eroded lands might require nitrogen and manure substitutes.

When planting with the intention of rehabilitating native plant growth, it is important to remove all other weeds before planting them.

Germination And Adaptation Time Of Big Bluestem Grass

The following points will tell you all about the germination and adaptation time of the big bluestem grass.

The big bluestem grass flowers in spring and sprouts in summer.

There is a cluster of flowers on each stem in the form of a narrow spike called a raceme.

The raceme most commonly appears in a group of three though it can range between two to six.

The flower appears like a turkey's foot; hence, the grass became known as 'turkey foot' because of this.

During summer and spring, the growth of the grass is the highest and sports a green color while being bluish at the base.

In fall, it turns red and pink before dying and resumes growth in spring.

The grasses are best planted in mid to late winter or early spring.

Big bluestem germinates the best when they are stratified for a month before being planted.

It is planted as an ornamental garden, to the home landscape, or to border a property.

It is also sometimes used as fire fuel.

Big bluestem is considered among invasive plants in some areas; hence you should confirm with local authorities before planting it.

When growing the grass at home, the seeds of big bluestem are sown at a depth of 0.25 in-0.5 in (0.6 cm-1.2 cm) in well-irrigated soil.

After ample irrigation and sun, the stalks appear about four weeks later.

The seed can also be planted in a tray and later transferred to the garden.

In this case, the seed will have to be planted around mid-winter and transferred to the garden in the spring.

The big bluestem seed should only be planted after the peak of winter has passed.

The seed of big bluestem can be bought or harvested from the seed head.

The ideal time for harvesting these seed heads would fall between September and October when they are at their driest.

After the seed heads are harvested, they need to be further stripped of their moisture by placing them in a paper bag in a warm area.

The seed can now be stripped from the seed heads and stored in an air-tight container away from direct sunlight.