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Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Common names: Tallest of the Tall Turkey Claw
Turkey Foot Grass
King of the Prairie
General Information:
Of all the native grasses found across our country, probably the most widely known
and most easily recognized is Big Bluestem. Often called the “King” of native
grasses, Big Bluestem is a tall, erect, perennial warm-season grass. Without major
disturbance, it will eventually form a dense sod, and under the best growing
conditions (good soil, drainage, moisture, sunlight) can reach 10 feet in height. The
colors displayed range from steel gray to wine red. There are great variations in Big
Bluestem that manifest themselves over its growing range with northern varieties
generally being shorter and earlier maturing and southern varieties being taller and
later maturing. In more arid conditions, the appearance of Big Bluestem is more
similar to a bunch grass. In undisturbed stands only a small proportion of the plants
will flower each year, thus making the need for proper management, such as
controlled burning even more important. For best results, use a chaffy seed drill for
planting.
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Varieties or cultivars (improved releases):
1) Rountree is a variety developed for areas farther north and into the east
especially around the Lower Great Lakes and the Ohio valley
area. Of
necessity, it has a shorter growing season, reaching maturity earlier than some
other varieties. The original collections were made in northern Missouri, Iowa
and Illinois. Rountree is better adapted to the higher humidity levels of the
eastern tall grass prairie areas and prairie remnants of the east.
2) Kaw is a variety that has shown superior leafiness and vigor. It was developed
from collections made along the Kaw River in eastern Kansas. It thrives in
hotter and drier areas and is said to be more disease resistant than some Big
Bluestems.
Pawnee is a variety in Nebraska. Plants grow waist high or more with deep green leaves and tall seed stalks. It is a winter hardy variety,
with maximum growth obtained in mid–summer and maturity reached in late summer.
Niagara is a forage variety that originated in and is adapted to the northeastern United States.
Earl is a variety that was originally collected from a native stand in Texas. It is adapted to all soil types of the southern one third of the
United States. Do not raise Earl farther north than the 37 th degree north latitude if you hope for seed production.
OZ-70 origin is a recently released germplasm composite that is adapted to the shallow, poorer soils of the central United States. The
Original collection was made in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri and it is hoped that it will fill a niche for seed needed in the
Smoky and Appalachian Mountain areas.
Tenn native germplasm composite of local ecotype. Collections gathered in eastern 2/3 of the state of Tennessee.
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