Andropogon gerardii

Vitman
Common names: Big bluestem Barbon de gerard
Synonyms: Andropogon provincialis Andropogon furcatus
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 25. Treatment on page 653.

Plants often forming large clumps, rhizomes, if present, with internodes shorter than 2 cm. Culms 1-3 m, often glaucous. Sheaths glabrous or pilose; ligules 0.4-2.5 mm; blades 5-50 cm long, (2)5-10 mm wide, usually pilose adaxially, at least near the collar. Inflorescence units usually only terminal; peduncles with 2-6(10) rames; rames 5-11 cm, exserted at maturity, usually purplish, sometimes yellowish; internodes sparsely to densely pubescent, hairs 2.2-4.2 mm, usually white, rarely yellowish. Sessile spikelets 5-11 mm, scabrous; awns 8-25 mm; anthers 3, 2.5-4.5 mm. Pedicellate spikelets 3.5-12 mm, usually well-developed and staminate. 2n = 20, 40, 60 (usually), 70, 80.

Distribution

Conn., N.J., N.Y., Wis., Del., D.C., Man., Ont., Que., Sask., W.Va., Colo., Fla., Wyo., N.H., N.Mex., Tex., La., Tenn., N.C., S.C., Pa., Va., Mass., Maine, R.I., Vt., Kans., N.Dak., Nebr., Okla., Ala., Ark., Ill., Ga., Ind., Iowa, Ariz., Md., Ohio, Utah, Mo., Minn., Mich., Mont., Miss., Ky., S.Dak.

Discussion

Andropogon gerardii grows in prairies, meadows, and generally dry soils. It is a widespread species, extending from southern Canada to Mexico, and was once dominant over much of its range. It is frequently planted for erosion control, restoration, or as an ornamental; the records from Washington and central Montana reflect such plantings. It hybridizes with A. ballii, the two sometimes being treated as conspecific subspecies.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Andropogon gerardii"
Christopher S. Campbell +
Vitman +
Big bluestem +  and Barbon de gerard +
Conn. +, N.J. +, N.Y. +, Wis. +, Del. +, D.C. +, Man. +, Ont. +, Que. +, Sask. +, W.Va. +, Colo. +, Fla. +, Wyo. +, N.H. +, N.Mex. +, Tex. +, La. +, Tenn. +, N.C. +, S.C. +, Pa. +, Va. +, Mass. +, Maine +, R.I. +, Vt. +, Kans. +, N.Dak. +, Nebr. +, Okla. +, Ala. +, Ark. +, Ill. +, Ga. +, Ind. +, Iowa +, Ariz. +, Md. +, Ohio +, Utah +, Mo. +, Minn. +, Mich. +, Mont. +, Miss. +, Ky. +  and S.Dak. +
Andropogon provincialis +  and Andropogon furcatus +
Andropogon gerardii +
Andropogon sect. Andropogon +
species +