- Description:
Stems are erect, round and often have a waxy, bluish color. Leaf blades are flat and
sometimes inward rolled on the edges. Flower and seed heads are composed of 2-7 (usually
three) 1½-4-inch-long branches.
- Comments:
The common name refers to the height and color of the stems. It is also called
“turkey foot” due to the shape of the seed head and sometimes “beard
grass” because of the white hairs within the seed heads. Andropogon means
“man’s beard” in reference to these white hairs. Big Bluestem is preferred
by livestock over most other grasses. Because of the dominance and high forage value of
this grass, the Flint Hills were once called the “bluestem pastures.” After a
fall frost, leaves turn shades of purplish-red. Big Bluestem grows statewide.
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