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| ## silver bluestem {#silver-bluestem .Title-Header}                   |
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| *Bothriochloa saccharoides* (Sw.) Rydb.                               |
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| Plant Symbol = BOSA                                                   |
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*Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data*

*Center*

# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.792361111111111in" height="4.175in"}

## Alternate Name

*Andropogon saccharoides*

# Uses 

Silver bluestem is used primarily for grazing. Cattle graze it a few
weeks in the spring, but little after the seedheads form. It can be
grazed some during the winter if livestock are fed a protein supplement.
Goats relish the seedheads when seed is in the dough stage. This grass
is usually not seeded nor managed to control erosion on critical areas,
but established itself readily on denuded soils and overgrazed ranges.

## 

## Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status
and wetland indicator values.

## Description

Grass Family (Poaceae). Silver bluestem is a native, warm‑season,
short‑lived perennial bunch grass. The height is between 2 to 3 feet.
The leaf blade is 2 to 8 inches long. The stems are round at the base,
but sometimes branching at nodes. The lower part is purplish throughout
the growing season and usually has a ring of white hairs at the nodes.
Stems turn irregularly at each node. The seedhead is a raceme that is
silky white soon after it emerges from the sheath.

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

# Management

It is cut for hay only when associated with other grasses, such as
little (*Schizachyrium scoparium*) and big bluestem (*Andropogon
gerardii*). This grass increases on ranges that are grazed continuously.
It is an invader on ranges in poor condition. Range managed to maintain
this grass in the plant community should be grazed no more than 50
per­cent of the current year\'s growth and grazing should be deferred 45
to 60 days in the spring every *2* to 3 years.

# 

# Establishment

Growth starts in the spring when daily temperature is 70 to 75 degrees
F. The seedheads emerge 3 to 4 weeks later with the seeds ripening
during a 4‑ to 6‑week period. Silver bluestem is a prolific seed
producer. It grows best on loamy soils underlain by limestone. It grows
well on clays and clay loams throughout the blackland resource areas of
the South. Further west, it grows on rocky slopes and coarser textured
soils. It does not grow well on moist sites.

## Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) 

Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.

## 

**Reference**

Leithead, H.L., L.L. Yarlett, & T.N. Shiflett. 1976. 100 native forage
grasses in 11 southern states. USDA SCS *Agriculture Handbook No. 389*,
Washington, DC.

## Prepared By & Species Coordinator:

*Percy Magee*, USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana

Edited: 13may02 ahv; jul03 ahv; 20sep05 jsp; 070116 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
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