Alternate name: Little False Bluestem, Bunchgrass
Family: Poaceae, Grass view all from this family
Description An erect, yellowish-tan, tufted grass (reddish-tan in fall) with spikelets in narrow terminal clusters on slender stems that intermingle with the leaves.
Flowers: tiny, lacking petals; stamens usually 3; styles 2. Flowers enclosed by scales tipped with long, slender bristles. Scales grouped in small spikelets to 1/3" (8 mm) long; the spikelets in a spike-like cluster to 2 1/2" (6.3 cm) long.
Leaves: blades to 10" (25 cm) long, 1 1/2" (3.8 cm) wide; slightly folded, sheathe stem at base.
Fruit: purplish or yellow grain.
Height: 1 1/2-4 1/2' (45-135 cm).
Flower August-October.
Habitat Old fields, prairies, open woods.
Range Throughout the United States, except California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada.
Discussion 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 plant's 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 turkey's foot. It reaches a height of 12' (3.6 m) in favorable bottomland sites and is also one of the East's most important native prairie grasses.
