Splitbeard Bluestem

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