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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. 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 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. SHARP BROS SEED CO 396 SW DAVIS - LADUE CLINTON, MO 64735 800-451-3779 660-885-7551 www.sharpbro.com