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Nebraska Symbols, Grass: Little Bluestem
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Little Bluestem
(Schizachyrium scoparium)
Adopted on May 5, 1969.
Little Bluestem, Andropogon scoparius (schizachyrium), was designated the official state grass of Nebraska on May 5, 1969, with the passage of a bill introduced by Sens. Maurice A. Kremer of Aurora and Wayne L. Schreurs of Seward. Little bluestem, a vigorous native prairie grass, grows throughout the Great Plains and beyond. In central and western Nebraska it grows in bunches and is sometimes called "bunch grass." In some areas, it is also known as "beard grass." The grass is an important native hay and forage grass.
Source: Nebraska Bluebook, 1994-95, pg. 25.
A native perennial prairie grass. It can be recognized by its roundish clumps of stems that are somewhat reddish purple in color. There may be 100-300 fine stems emerging from each clump. The solid stems are pinkish with lavender-blue tinted nodes. The fine, flat, blue-green leaves are 1/8-1/4" wide and 8-14" long. The stems turn yellowish orange as the plants mature and go to seed. It can be as short as 3-5" on poor dry soil or as tall as 3' on a rich moist tallgrass prairie site, but typically grows to about 20" in height.
Common Names
little bluestem, little false bluestem, small feathergrass, broomsedge, prairie beardgrass, and popotillo colorado
Scientific Name
Schizachyrium: from schizo for "to split" in part scoparium: Latin for "broom-like" from Latin scopa for "broom"
Pronounced: Schizachyrium (skits-ah-KEER-ee-um) scoparium (skoh-PAIR-ee-um)
Description
Perennial 2'-3' grass, bold clump forming grass with silver and bronze fall color. 1" wide green foliage with a white stripe running down the middle offset by billowy plumes opening pink and turning to silver. Excellent cut flower for dries flower arrangements.
Flower
Distinguished by the fuzzy white flowers that emerge part way up the stalk that blooms Aug.-Oct.
Culture
S. scoparium can be found in dry fields, prairies and woods from Maine to
Alberta and Idaho, south to Florida and Arizona. Tolerant of a wide range of
soils, but will not grow well in moist, fertile soils. Propagate by seed or
division in spring. Self seeds,though not prolifically. Cut to the ground in
spring before new growth emerges. Best utilized as a vertical accent in
perennial borders or as a screen.
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| Kingdom |
Plantae -- Plants |
| Subkingdom |
Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants |
| Superdivision |
Spermatophyta – Seed plants |
| Division |
Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants |
| Class |
Liliopsida – Monocotyledons |
| Subclass |
Commelinidae – |
| Order |
Cyperales – |
| Family |
Poaceae – Grass family |
| Genus |
Schizachyrium L. – bluestem |
| Species |
Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash – little bluestem |
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