Broomsedge Bluestem

Plant Profile
FYUSE Image	Common Name: Broomsedge Bluestem Species Name: Andropogon virginicus Plant Type: Grasses & Grass-like Family Name: Poaceae, Grass Family Tribe: Andropogoneae, Bluestem Tribe


Plant Facts
Origin	Native
Duration	Perennial
Season	Warm
Distribution in the U.S.	In the west, found from Iowa to Texas to Mexico and to California
Distribution in Oklahoma	Southeastern quarter

ID Characteristics

Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Orange-brown or straw-colored leaves and stems in winter
- Yellow-green leaves in spring and summer
- Large bunchgrass
- Stems flattened at base of plant
- Blades folded near collar
Floral
- Seed heads nested in stems; fuzzy and cream-colored
- 2-5 branches per seed head with straight awns
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Plant Height: 40-115 centimeters
- Ligule Type:Ciliate-membranous
- Sheath: Glabrous or villous
- Leaves: Basal
Floral Characteristics
- Inflorescence Type: Rame
- Florets Per Spikelet:2
- Glumes: Equal


Habitat/Ecology
Soil Type	Various, best growth in sandy soil
Habitat	Grows well in low fertility and pH sites like old fields that have been heavily eroded
Successional Stage	All