Andropogon gerardii

Androyision gerardii Big bluestem
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Comelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Andropogon
Species:	A. gerardii
Binomial name
Andropogon gerardii Vitman

Andropogon gerardii, known also as Big bluestem, Turkey foot, Prairie tallgrass, or simply Tallgrass, is a tall grass (Poaceae family) native to much of the Great Plains and Prairie regions of central North America

Description

Andropogon gerardii, big bluestem, is tolerant of a wide range of soils and moisture. Depending on soil and moisture conditions, it grows to a height of 1–3 metres (3.3–9.8 ft). Big bluestem is a perennial bunch grass. The stem base turns to a blue-purple as it matures. The seed heads have three spike-like projections, resulting in the common name "turkey foot". The roots are deep, and the plants send out strong, tough rhizomes, so it forms very strong sod. It blooms in the summer and seeds into the fall.

Ecology

Big bluestem is a late-successional grass in prairie ecosystems. It grows in tall, dense stands that shade out other plant species. "These stands tend to gradually increase in size over time, unless a disturbance (such as overgrazing, or lack of grazing) allows other plant species to re-establish themselves." It is shade intolerant, but typically regrows after bushfires. Therefore, it has used fire to compete with shaded woodlands.

Cultivation and uses

Agriculture

Big bluestem, which has many variants, is considered to be good forage for horses and cattle, and can also be cut and used for hay. It has a high protein level. While not considered the highest quality native forage found in the United States, it has long been considered a desirable and ecologically important grass by cattle ranchers and range-land ecologists.

Landscape

Andropogon gerardii is cultivated by specialty plant nurseries for being a native plant and its drought tolerance. It is often grown for wildlife gardens, natural landscaping, and grassland habitat restoration projects.

Biofuel

Due to its high biomass, big bluestem is being considered as a potential feedstock for ethanol production.

Symbols

Andropogon gerardii is the State Grass of Illinois and Missouri. Big Bluestem is the official prairie grass of Manitoba.

See also

• List: Native grasses of the Great Plains region

External links

• Plant profile for Andropogon gerardii (Big bluestem)