Andropogon gerardii

Sizes available: landscape plug

Basics: zones 3-9, 4-8' x 1.5-2', full sun, leaf and stem color changes to a deep, bronzy-red after frost, adaptable to dry soil after it has established a good root system, can tolerate periodic flooding, prefers a leaner soil

Common names: Big Blue Stem, Turkeyfoot Grass

Family: Poaceae

Origin/Distribution: Quebec and Maine to Saskatchewan and eastern Montana, southeast to Florida, west to Arizona and south to Mexico and Costa Rica. Present in 44 states and native to Maine.

Habitat: significant component of moist grasslands and most at home in the central plains states

More: A. gerardii along with Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, and Panicum virgatum comprise the Big Four. These are the main components of the grasslandnprairies in middle North America, but are also all native to Maine. According to The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, this is a good choice for native forage. It is very palatable to livestock and has been called "ice cream for cows". This can create problems with over-grazing as it has adapted to the migratory patterns of bison, once its main herbivore, therefore proper rotational management of livestock is required. This is a warm season grass and is slow to get started in the spring. Over-fertile, shady, or sites that stay too wet will cause rank growth and flopping. Ground-nesting birds use this grass for both cover and nesting and many creatures enjoy the seeds. It also provides nesting material and structure for native bees. The Delaware Skipper, Anatrytone logan, which has been moving further north in Maine, uses Big Bluestem as a larval host. The Dusted Skipper, Atrytonopsis hianna, also uses it as a larval host. Present in southern Maine, this is a priority 3 species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) due to the loss of habitat for A. gerardii. It would be really excellent to stop power companies from spraying power line right of ways with toxic chemicals. These could be rich habitats with different management techniques and still ensure a safe and uninterrupted power supply (solar array fields are another opportunity). Just sayin'.

Nursery: Landscape plugs from New Moon

Image credit: 1st image: Wikimedia Commons, looking a bit lax but still quite attractive in a somewhat shady spot; 2nd image: from USFWS Mountain Prairie via Creative Commons through the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, the inflorescence clearly illustrating why Turkeyfoot Grass is a common name