It grows in medium wet areas. The roots may be seven feet deep or more. In June, July, and August, the stem turns to bluish green. It turns orange as it goes dormant for the winter. It is the Illinois' Official Prairie Grass .
Little bluestem grows waist high in areas drier than big bluestem.
In June, July, and August, the stem turns bluish green. It turns orange as it goes dormant for the winter, too. Only about 2,300 acres of high quality prairie is left. Most of it is along highways and railroads. Farming and the growth of cities took much of the prairie.