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Plant Profile  
FYUSE 3d Image

Common Name: Splitbeard Bluestem

Other Names: Paintbrush Bluestem

Species Name: Andropogon ternarius

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. Southeastern quarter, from New Jersey to Florida and west into Kansas and Texas
Distribution in Oklahoma Eastern two-thirds of the state

 

 

ID Characteristics

  • Field Identification Characteristics

    Vegetative

    • Distinguishing reddish-brown foliage
    • Bunch grass
    • Curly basal leaves

    Floral

    • Silvery white seed head with rominet wispy hairs
    • Head splits into two branches at maturity
  • Leaf and Stem Characteristics
    • Plant Height: 70-120 centimeters
    • Ligule Type: Fimbriate-membranous
    • Sheath: Glabrous or villous
    • Leaves: Basal
  • Floral Characteristics
    • Inflorescence Type: Rame
    • Florets Per Spikelet: 2
    • Glumes: Equal

 

 

Habitat/Ecology  
Soil Type Well-drained sand, sandy loam
Habitat Prairies, woods and cutover woodland pastures
Successional Stage Mid

 

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