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Strickland, Sam C.
Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash
Little bluestem
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonyms: Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium, Andropogon scoparius
USDA Symbol: SCSC
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Little false bluestem is a very ornamental bunchgrass with fine-textured foliage that forms very dense mounds18-24 in. in height. Slender, blue-green stems, appearing in August, reach 3 ft. by September and become radiant mahogany-red with white, shining seed tufts in the fall. Color remains nearly all winter. Perennial clumps grow up to a foot in diameter.
This mid-prairie species, also known as Bunchgrass, gets its name from the bluish color of the stem bases in the spring, but most striking is the plants reddish-tan color in fall, persisting through winter snows. In winter the seeds, fuzzy white at maturity, are of particular value to small birds. A related species, Big Bluestem or Turkeyfoot (Andropogon gerardii), has finger-like seed heads that somewhat resemble a turkeys foot. It reaches a height of 12 (3.6 m) in favorable bottomland sites and is also one of the Easts most important native prairie grasses.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Size Notes: 2-4
Leaf Color: Gray-Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Color: Purple
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , BrownBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Distribution
USA: AL , AZ , AR , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , HI , ID , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , MT , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY , DCCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NS , ON , SK
Native Distribution: Que. & ME to Alt. & ID, s. to FL & AZ
Native Habitat: Woodlands edge, Opening, Hillsides, Slopes, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I), CAN(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Well-drained soil. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: Little bluestem is wonderful planted en masse. The visual dynamics it provides range from blue-green in late summer to golden with cotton-tufted seedheads in winter. It readily reseeds so little bluestem is not recommended for small gardens. Little bluestem is tolerant of a wide range of soils but will not tolerate wetlands or sub-irrigated sites.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Fall conspicuous, Grows in clumps, AccentUse Wildlife: Graze, Cover, Nesting material, Seeds-Small mammals, Seeds-granivorous birds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Ottoe Skipper, Indian Skipper, Crossline Skipper, Dusted Skipper, Cobweb butterfly, Dixie skipper
Deer Resistant: High
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Schizachyrium scoparium is a larval host and/or nectar source for:| Dusted Skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna)  Larval Host | Indian Skipper (Hesperia sassacus)  Larval Host | Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes)  Larval Host | Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root DivisionDescription: Easily propagated
Seed Collection: Sep. and Oct.
Seed Treatment: Dry stratification
Commercially Avail: yes
PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem) is a PlantWise native alternative for: Agropyron cristatum (crested wheatgrass)
Bromus inermis (smooth brome)
Pennisetum ciliare (buffelgrass)
Schedonorus phoenix (tall fescue)
Find Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Question: Dear Mr. Smarty Plants; Are there any grass seeds that I can plant NOW, early December, on Long Island, NY? The planting environment is on and near a sandy bluff on a bayshore, where it can be windy at times, and salty air from the bay. For example, can I plant Little Bluestem and/or Big Bluestem seeds now? Are there any other grasses that I can plant as seeds now? Thank you. Richard
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Question: Can you provide a list of plants for use on slopes in S. Texas?
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Question: I'm looking for a plant to stop erosion; I have big wash outs that are starting to erode my yard so I guess I'm looking for deep rooting plants. I live south of Tucson, Arizona. If you can advise me I would be grateful.
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Question: What native grasses can be grown under large Live Oaks in the Dallas Area? The combination of shade and black gumbo soil seem to keep all plant life, except for poison ivy and ferns, out. I would love to replace the spotty St Augustine grass that is currently in place.
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Question: We would like to install a geothermal heating/cooling system on our Wisconsin property. Are there any environmental problems with the heat that is put back in the earth from a geothermal system? We intend to plant a native prairie on top of the horizontal closed loop field. Problems?
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From the National Suppliers Directory
According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
Ohio Prairie Nursery - Hiram, OH
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Bibliography
Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, S.
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.View Recommended Species page
Additional resources
USDA: Find Schizachyrium scoparium in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Schizachyrium scoparium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Schizachyrium scoparium
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-11-21Research By: TWC Staff
