Schizachyrium scoparium
Little Bluestem
General
A warm season grass with attractive fall foliage. In the spring, the plant is a blue-green color, where it gets its common name; in the fall, it turns a beautiful golden brown (pictured above). Grows best in dry to moist well-drained sites in full sun, and will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. Seeds are an important food source to small birds in winter.
Plant Description
Growing 2-4' tall. Usually grows in a dense tuft. Alternate leaf blades on the lower half of the stem. The inflorescence is several bunches of spikelets on racemes, and will have light, fluffy hairs as the fruit ripens.
Height (ft)
3'
Soil moisture
Medium to Dry
Soil types
Variable texture, less fertile soil
Wetland indicator
FACU-
Shade tolerance
Intolerant, Full Sun
Bloom color
Brown
Bloom period
Spring
Drought tolerance
High
Salinity tolerance
None
Range
Throughout most of the United States, from the East Coast to just west of the Rocky Mountains. Population continues north into Canada and south into Mexico. Introduced in Hawaii.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to the BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, this species has been used by the Comanche by using the stem ashes for wounds. They would also use bunches of these stems as switches. The Lakota would soften the stems and use them as fur in moccasins for extra insulation.