Common Name: Old World Bluestem

Other Names: Yellow Bluestem, Plains Bluestem, King Ranch Bluestem

Species Name: Bothriochloa ischaemum

Plant Type: Grasses & Grass-like

Family Name: Poaceae, Grass Family

Tribe: Andropogoneae, Bluestem Tribe

 

 

 

 

 

ID Characteristics

• Field Identification Characteristics

  Vegetative

  • Entire plant is light green or golden-yellow
  • Stem sections alternate at angles left and right at each node

  Floral

  • Seed heads with 4-12 branches all attached at the tip of the stem
  • Seed heads are fuzzy
• Leaf and Stem Characteristics
  • Plant Height: 40-90 centimeters
  • Ligule Type: Ciliate membrane
  • Sheath: Glabrous or Villous
  • Leaves: Cauline
• Floral Characteristics
  • Inflorescence Type: Rames
  • Florets Per Spikelet: 2
  • Glumes: Equal