Schizachyrium scoparium
{{short description|Species of grass}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{speciesbox
| image = Andropogon scoparius.jpg
| image_caption = Mature seed heads
| genus = Schizachyrium
| species = scoparium
| synonyms = Andropogon scoparius Michx.
| synonyms_ref = {{GRIN | accessdate=2010-11-05}}
}}
Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as little bluestem or beard grass, is a species of North American prairie grass native to most of the contiguous United States (except California, Nevada, and Oregon) as well as a small area north of the Canada–US border and northern Mexico. It is most common in the Midwestern prairies and is one of the most abundant native plants in Texas grasslands.
Little bluestem is a perennial bunchgrass and is prominent in tallgrass prairie, along with big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). It is a warm-season species, meaning it employs the C4 photosynthetic pathway.{{Clarify|date=July 2011}}
Description
Little bluestem grows to become an upright, roundish mound of soft, bluish-green or grayish-green blades in May and June that is about two to three feet high. In July, it initiates flowering stalks, which reach four to five feet in height. In fall, it displays a coppery or mostly orange color with tints of red or purple. Sometimes it displays in some places, as in sandy soils, a redder fall color. It becomes a more orangish-bronze in winter until early spring, when it becomes more tan.
Little bluestem stems tiller within individual plants. Each tiller hierarchy is separated by age, starting from the youngest in the middle pushing the oldest tillers out to the periphery.{{Cite journal |last=Derner |first=Justin D. |last2=Polley |first2=H. Wayne |last3=Johnson |first3=Hyrum B. |last4=Tischler |first4=Charles R. |date=2004-02-23 |title=Structural Attributes of Schizachyrium scoparium in Restored Texas Blackland Prairies |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1061-2971.2004.00272.x |journal=Restoration Ecology |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=80–84 |doi=10.1111/j.1061-2971.2004.00272.x |issn=1061-2971}}
Subdivisions
One variety, var. littorale, is native to the eastern and southern coastal strip of the United States, as well as the shores of the Great Lakes. It is adapted to sand dune habitat, and is sometimes considered a separate species, S. littorale.{{cite web |last1=Skaradek |first1=William B. |last2=Miller |first2=Christopher F. |title=Schizachyrium littorale |url=http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_scli11.pdf |work=Plant Fact Sheet |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Service}}{{cite web |title=Schizachyrium littorale |url=http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/info2.asp?name=Schizachyrium_littorale&type=treatment |work=Grass Manual treatment}}
Ecology
Little bluestem is drought tolerant, and is a larval host to the cobweb skipper, common wood nymph, crossline skipper, Dakota skipper, dusted skipper, Indian skipper, Leonard's skipper, Ottoe skipper, and swarthy skipper.The Xerces Society (2016), Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects, Timber Press.
Image:Schizachyrium scoparium - JBM.jpg
Image:Little_Bluestem.jpg
Image:SchizachyriumScoparium.jpg
Cultivation
It is recommended for USDA hardiness zones 3 to 10.
The plant grows best in full sun and on well-drained soils. It can be dug up and divided in spring, as many other perennials, for propagation or to reduce the size of an old, big plant. It can be burned in late winter or early spring in a prairie or meadow before new growth, like many American prairie grasses (big bluestem, Indian-grass, and switchgrass), which burn quickly and cleanly.
=Cultivars=
A number of cultivars have been developed. 'Carousel' is a compact form with especially good fall color developed by Chicagoland Grows. 'The Blues' is a selection that has bluer foliage. 'Standing Ovation' is a tight, upright form with bluer and thicker blades and sturdier stems.{{cite book |first=Rebecca |last=Schillo |title=Native Landscaping Takes Root in Chicago |editor=Nina Cummings | year=2011 |page=13}}
In culture
Little bluestem is the official state grass of Nebraska and Kansas.{{cite web |last=Koranda |first=Jeannine |title=Kansas has a new state grass |newspaper=Wichita Eagle |date=6 April 2010|url=http://blogs.kansas.com/gov/2010/04/06/kansas-has-a-new-state-grass/ |accessdate=13 April 2010}}{{cite web |last=Klepper |first=David |title=Little Bluestem gets a page in the statute book |newspaper=Kansas City Star |date=6 April 2010 |url=http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/21984 |accessdate=13 April 2010}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikispecies}}
- {{Kansas Wildflowers|34|grass |link=1}}
- [http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.com/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/plant.asp?code=F510 Missouri Botanical Garden's Kemper Center for Home Gardening]
- [http://www.kansasnativeplantsociety.org/stategrass.php Little Bluestem on Kansas Native Plant Society]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3013856}}
Category:Bunchgrasses of North America
Category:Warm-season grasses of North America
Category:Garden plants of North America
Category:Grasses of the United States
Category:Flora of the Western United States
Category:Flora of the Eastern United States
Category:Native grasses of the Great Plains region
Category:Flora of the United States
Category:Flora of the Canadian Prairies