+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## big bluestem {#big-bluestem .Title-Header}                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| *Andropogon gerardii* Vitman                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Plant Symbol = ANGE                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

**Uses**![](media/image2.wmf){width="2.915277777777778in"
height="1.948611111111111in"}

*Erosion control*: Big bluestem is a top choice for erosion control
plantings on sites with moderately well drained to excessively well
drained soils. Generally, it is planted in combination with other warm
season grasses on these sites.

*Livestock*: Big bluestem is one of the most palatable warm season
grasses and is preferred over switchgrass by livestock. Therefore, in
pastures, it should be planted alone for best management, especially
where continuous or extensive grazing practices are used. It can be
mixed with other species for intensive, rotational grazing.

*Wildlife*: Birds and mammals use big bluestem for nesting and escape
cover in summer and winter. It resists lodging under snow cover almost
as well as switchgrass, thereby contributing to spring nesting habitat.

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

Please consult the PLANTS Web site 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).

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

*Andropogon gerardii*, big bluestem, is a native, perennial, warm season
grass that occurs from the short grass prairie region to the Atlantic
Ocean. It is tufted, forms sod, and has short, scaly rhizomes. Big
bluestem is tall, reaching a height of 6 to 8 feet on most sites where
it is protected from grazing. It is very leafy at the base, with some
leaves carried up on the stem. The seed heads normally have 3 spikelets
that appear like a 'turkey foot.'

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Big bluestem is climatically adapted throughout the Midwest and
Northeast on moderately well drained through excessively well drained
soils. It is adapted to a range of other soil limitations such as
shallow depth, low pH, and low fertility.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

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

Big bluestem should be seeded as early in the spring as possible.
Conventional tillage should be used where practical. Where no-till must
be used due to slope, stoniness, or other reasons, the sod control
should be performed in the fall to permit early spring planting. The
seeding rate for broadcast or no-till methods should be 7 to 12 pounds
PLS per acre. When drills are used to plant, debearded seed must be
utilized unless the drill has a chaffy seed box. When the seed is
broadcast, a packer should be utilized to firm the seedbed and
incorporate the seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch (3/4 inch on very droughty sites)
as if alfalfa was being planted. No nitrogen fertilizer should be
applied during the establishment year unless no weed competition is
expected. If pH is below 5.5, lime is recommended during site
preparation or the fall prior to no-till plantings.

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

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

No harvest of bluestem during the establishment season should be
allowed. During the second growing season, harvesting by controlled
pasturing or haying is possible on good stands. The first harvest should
not commence until the bluestem is 20 inches tall. It should be grazed
(5 days maximum duration) or cut no lower than 8 inches and then
protected from use until 20 inches in height is reached again. No
cropping should occur below 8 inches or within 1 month of anticipated
frosts. After a killing frost, the area may be grazed to 8 inches, but
forage quality is greatly reduced and supplementation is recommended for
growing animals.

Big bluestem has relatively weak seedling vigor compared to weeds and
cool season grasses; therefore, control of competition is necessary for
successful stand establishment. High mowing (above the bluestem
seedlings) is a common method of weed control. Selected herbicides may
have application when forage harvests are not anticipated during the
year. Grazing of competing cool season grasses after frost in the fall
and before the bluestem is 1 inch tall in the spring is desirable,
unless soil conditions are too wet.

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

There are several cultivars available as certified seed, i.e. 'Bison'
(ND), 'Bonilla' (SD), 'Champ' (NE, IA), 'Kaw' (KS), 'Earl' (TX),
'Niagara' (NY), 'Pawnee' (NE), and 'Rountree' (IA).

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 31Jan2002 JLK; 24may06jsp {#jan2002-jlk-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/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
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
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*