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| ## big bluestem {#big-bluestem .Title-Header}                         |
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| *Andropogon gerardii* Vitman                                          |
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| Plant Symbol = ANGE                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.0805555555555557in"
height="2.6368055555555556in"}

##### Alternate Names  {#alternate-names .Header-3}

Bluejoint beardgrass, poptillo gigante, turkeyfoot, *Andropogon
chrysocomus, Andropogon furcatus, Andropogon gerardii* var.
*chrysocomus, Andropogon hallii* var. *grandiflorus, Andropogon
provincialis, Andropogon tennesseensis, Sorghum provinciale*.

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Conservation:* Big bluestem is the dominant grass species of the
Midwestern tallgrass prairie. It is mixed with other native prairie
species for prairie restoration and highway revegetation. While it does
best in moist soils, it can be used for mine reclamation, logging road
restoration and other restoration areas that have sandy or droughty
conditions.

*Erosion control:* Big bluestem is planted to stabilize soil. Rhizomes
are typically 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface, while the main roots
can extend downward to 10 feet.

Big bluestem is also planted to provide aboveground protection against
wind erosion. It is used for road cuts, pipelines, detention basin
slopes, and areas that need temporary cover during the restoration
process.

*Ethnobotanic:* Chippewa Indians used the root of big bluestem as a
diuretic and to alleviate stomach pains. Extracts of the leaf blades
were used as a wash for fevers or as an analgesic. The plants were also
used to fasten the support poles of dwellings. Moist grass was laid on
hot stones to prevent steam from escaping during cooking. It was also
used to cover fruit during ripening and under fruit while drying.

*Forage:* Big bluestem is a high quality forage species for all classes
of livestock. Crude protein content of 16-18% is maintained from May
through August but drops below 6% in September and October. It is often
cultivated as a pasture grass and for hay-making.

*Landscaping:* Big bluestem is used in wildflower meadows and prairie
plantings. It is also effective as a rear border or accent in native
plant gardens.

*Wildlife:* Big bluestem provides shelter for nesting birds and insects.
Songbirds and prairie chickens consume the seeds while white-tailed deer
and bison graze vegetative parts.

##### Legal Status {#legal-status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site (http://plants.usda.gov) and your
State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current status
(e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and
wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant is invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace
desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your
local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or state
natural resource or agriculture department regarding its status and use.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: Grass Family (Poaceae). Big bluestem is a perennial
warm-season grass. It can be distinguished from other warm-season
grasses by blue coloration at the base of the culm and purplish,
3-parted flower clusters that resemble a turkey's foot. The culms are
erect, up to 3 m tall, stout, and are usually covered with a blue-tinted
waxy layer. Leaf blades are flat, 15-60 cm long, 0.5-1 cm wide, smooth
below and rough above. The inflorescence is typically composed of three
spike-like racemes, but can have as many as seven. The racemes bear
paired spikelets that are about 1 cm long. Flowering takes place July
through October. The foliage changes color seasonally, and culms stay
erect through the winter.

*Distribution*: Big bluestem is native to the United States. It occurs
in southern Canada, from Maine to Montana, south to Florida and New
Mexico and into Mexico. For current distribution, please consult the
Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site
(http://plants.usda.gov).

*Habitat*: Big bluestem is found in open woods, prairies, meadows, along
riverbanks, and roadsides. It is especially abundant in lowland
prairies, overflow sites, and sandy areas.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

##### The USDA hardiness zones for big bluestem are 4 to 9. It is best adapted to moist, sandy or clay loams but also occurs in dry or shallow soils. It does well in full sun or partial shade. Prairie conditions, like low nutrient and moisture content, have conditioned big bluestem for use in well-drained soil with low fertility. It is not tolerant of heavy clays, extremely wet bottomlands, deep sands, high salinity, or high lime. {#the-usda-hardiness-zones-for-big-bluestem-are-4-to-9.-it-is-best-adapted-to-moist-sandy-or-clay-loams-but-also-occurs-in-dry-or-shallow-soils.-it-does-well-in-full-sun-or-partial-shade.-prairie-conditions-like-low-nutrient-and-moisture-content-have-conditioned-big-bluestem-for-use-in-well-drained-soil-with-low-fertility.-it-is-not-tolerant-of-heavy-clays-extremely-wet-bottomlands-deep-sands-high-salinity-or-high-lime. .Header-3}

#####  {#section .Header-3}

Big bluestem is generally shorter in the northern portion of its range,
and taller in the southern portion of its range. It is a rhizomatous,
sod-forming grass in the tallgrass prairie and has a bunchgrass
appearance in more arid regions.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Collect big bluestem seeds when the seed head no longer has a creamy
center, usually in September and October. Dry seeds in paper bags for 2
to 4 weeks. Seeds can be stored up to 7 months at 50^o^F and 50%
humidity. Cold stratification (40^o^F, 35% humidity) may improve
germination uniformity. Fill germination trays or pots with moist soil,
compacted at bottom. Sow seeds by hand, covering with a thin layer of
soil. Keep soil evenly moist during germination and do not use
fertilizer.

Greenhouse establishment will occur at alternating day/night
temperatures (set at 75/65^o^F) and 12-14 daylight hours (may be
extended artificially). Transplant seedlings into plug cells. Soil does
not need to be consistently moist at this stage. In early to late
spring, move plugs to cold frame. Seedlings are ready for outplanting
when the plant and soil can be completely pulled from the pot as one
unit. Outplanting can take place from late May to early October.

Seeds can be sown directly outside from late winter to early spring.
Emergence will occur in 4 weeks with several irrigations. Plants will be
ready for harvest in mid-summer to late fall.

First-season growth is often slow. Rhizomatic regeneration in following
years increases the growth rate.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Underground rhizomes resprout following fire disturbance. Regeneration
is slow if fire occurs during the summer (active growth stage).
Regeneration following springtime fire is much more vigorous because the
rhizomes have winter-stores of carbohydrates.

Big bluestem can withstand substantial grazing. However if it is
continually grazed closer than 6 to 8 inches, it will be out competed by
other grass species. It is highly palatable to livestock during spring
and summer and becomes coarse and less palatable during the fall and
winter. Hay should be mowed in early to mid-summer to maintain high
nutrition quality.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

NRCS Plants Materials Program (PMC) has released several cultivars of
big bluestem. The Bismarck, ND PMC released \'Bison\' for its adaptation
to northern climates. It is used for erosion control, upland game bird
cover and nesting, nature trails, rural beautifica-tion and other native
plantings. The Knox City, TX PMC released 'Eldorado' and 'Earl'
cultivars for their forage potential. Other cultivars include 'Kaw'
(Manhattan, KS), 'Niagara' (Big Flats, NY), and 'Rountree' (Elsberry,
MO).

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method.

##### References  {#references .Header-3}

##### Anderson, J. 2002. *USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database, Version 3.5* ([**http://plants.usda.gov**](http://plants.usda.gov/), 18 January 2004). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge. {#anderson-j.-2002.-usda-nrcs-plants-database-version-3.5-httpplants.usda.gov-18-january-2004.-national-plant-data-center-baton-rouge. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Bismarck Plants Materials Center. 1989. *Notice of release: Bison big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii).* p.2. ID #175. USDA NRCS Bismarck Plants Materials Center, Bismarck. {#bismarck-plants-materials-center.-1989.-notice-of-release-bison-big-bluestem-andropogon-gerardii.-p.2.-id-175.-usda-nrcs-bismarck-plants-materials-center-bismarck. .Header-3}

#####   {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### Densmore, F. 1928. U*ses of plants by the Chippewa Indians*. SI-BAE Annual Report #44, Pp. 342.  {#densmore-f.-1928.-uses-of-plants-by-the-chippewa-indians.-si-bae-annual-report-44-pp.-342. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### Casletter, E.F. & M.E. Opler. 1936. *Ethnobotanical studies in the American Southwest III. The ethnobiology of the Chiricahua and mescalero Apache.* University of New Mexico Bulletin 4(5): 1-63, Pp. 36-40. {#casletter-e.f.-m.e.-opler.-1936.-ethnobotanical-studies-in-the-american-southwest-iii.-the-ethnobiology-of-the-chiricahua-and-mescalero-apache.-university-of-new-mexico-bulletin-45-1-63-pp.-36-40. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

##### Gilmore, M.R. 1919*. Uses of plants by the Indians of the Missouri River region*. SI-BAE Annual Report #33, Pp. 68-69. {#gilmore-m.r.-1919.-uses-of-plants-by-the-indians-of-the-missouri-river-region.-si-bae-annual-report-33-pp.-68-69. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### Institute for Systematic Botany. 2002. *Andropogon gerardii.* *Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.* ([**http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/main.asp?plantID=668**](http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/main.asp?plantID=668), 13 Jan 2004). University of South Florida. Tampa. {#institute-for-systematic-botany.-2002.-andropogon-gerardii.-atlas-of-florida-vascular-plants.-httpwww.plantatlas.usf.edumain.aspplantid668-13-jan-2004.-university-of-south-florida.-tampa. .Header-3}

#####   {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### Kansas Wildflowers & Grasses. 2004. *Big bluestem.* ([**http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/bigbluestem.html**](http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/bigbluestem.html), 13 Jan 2004). Kansas State University, Manhattan.  {#kansas-wildflowers-grasses.-2004.-big-bluestem.-httpwww.lib.ksu.eduwildflowerbigbluestem.html-13-jan-2004.-kansas-state-university-manhattan. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

##### Knapp, A.K. 1985. Effect of fire and drought on the ecophysiology of Andropogon gerardii and Panicum virgatum in a tallgrass prairie. *Ecology* 66(4): 1309-1320. {#knapp-a.k.-1985.-effect-of-fire-and-drought-on-the-ecophysiology-of-andropogon-gerardii-and-panicum-virgatum-in-a-tallgrass-prairie.-ecology-664-1309-1320. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-8 .Header-3}

##### Knox City Plants Materials Center. 1985. N*otice of release: 'Eldorado' engelmanndaisy (Engelmannia pinnatifida).* pp. 2. ID #1473. Soil Conservation Service, Knox City. {#knox-city-plants-materials-center.-1985.-notice-of-release-eldorado-engelmanndaisy-engelmannia-pinnatifida.-pp.-2.-id-1473.-soil-conservation-service-knox-city. .Header-3}

#####   {#section-9 .Header-3}

##### Native Plants Network. 2003. *Protocol information: Andropogon gerardii.* ([**http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/network**](http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/network), 13 Jan 2004). College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow.  {#native-plants-network.-2003.-protocol-information-andropogon-gerardii.-httpwww.nativeplantnetwork.orgnetwork-13-jan-2004.-college-of-natural-resources-university-of-idaho-moscow. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-10 .Header-3}

##### NDSU Extension Service. 1998. *Selected North Dakota and Minnesota range plants: big bluestem, turkeyfoot.* ([**http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ansci/range/eb69-6.htm**](http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ansci/range/eb69-6.htm), 13 Jan 2004). North Dakota State University. Fargo.  {#ndsu-extension-service.-1998.-selected-north-dakota-and-minnesota-range-plants-big-bluestem-turkeyfoot.-httpwww.ext.nodak.eduextpubsanscirangeeb69-6.htm-13-jan-2004.-north-dakota-state-university.-fargo. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-11 .Header-3}

##### Plant Finder. 2003. *Andropogon gerardii.* ([**http://ridgwaydb.mobot.org/kemperweb/plantfinder/**](http://ridgwaydb.mobot.org/kemperweb/plantfinder/) Plant.asp?code=G720, 13 Jan 2004). Missouri Botanical Garden. St. Louis. {#plant-finder.-2003.-andropogon-gerardii.-httpridgwaydb.mobot.orgkemperwebplantfinder-plant.aspcodeg720-13-jan-2004.-missouri-botanical-garden.-st.-louis. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-12 .Header-3}

##### USDA NRCS. 1996. *Notice of release: Earl big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii).* Pp. 2. ID #3145. {#usda-nrcs.-1996.-notice-of-release-earl-big-bluestem-andropogon-gerardii.-pp.-2.-id-3145. .Header-3}

##### USDA NRCS Knox City Plants Materials Center, Washington D.C.  {#usda-nrcs-knox-city-plants-materials-center-washington-d.c. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-13 .Header-3}

##### Uchytil, R.J. 1988. *Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii.* ([**http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis**](http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis), 17 Jan 2004).USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula. {#uchytil-r.j.-1988.-andropogon-gerardii-var.-gerardii.-httpwww.fs.fed.usdatabasefeis-17-jan-2004.usda-forest-service-rocky-mountain-research-station-fire-sciences-laboratory-missoula. .Header-3}

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

##### *Sarah Wennerberg*, USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana {#sarah-wennerberg-usda-nrcs-national-plant-data-center-baton-rouge-louisiana .Header-3}

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

*Mark Skinner*, USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana

##### Edited: 29Jan2004 sbw; 21Oct2004 rln; 24may06jsp {#edited-29jan2004-sbw-21oct2004-rln-24may06jsp .Header-4}

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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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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