Andropogon gerardii
Andropogon arctatus
Barbon de Gerard, big bluestem
pinewoods bluestem
1-3 m, often glaucous.
90-170 cm;
internodes occasionally somewhat glaucous just below the nodes;
branches straight, erect to ascending.
glabrous or pilose;
ligules 0.4-2.5 mm;
blades 5-50 cm long, (2)5-10 mm wide, usually pilose adaxially, at least near the collar.
smooth, rarely somewhat scabrous;
ligules 0.3-0.9 mm, sometimes ciliate, cilia to 0.5 mm;
blades 15-35 cm long, 3-8 mm wide, glabrous or densely pubescent, hairs spreading.
usually only terminal;
peduncles with 2-6(10) rames;
rames 5-11 cm, exserted at maturity, usually purplish, sometimes yellowish;
internodes sparsely to densely pubescent, hairs 2.2-4.2 mm, usually white, rarely yellowish.
5-45 per culm; subtending sheaths (3.3)3.8-6.8(9) cm long, (2.5)3.2-4(5) mm wide;
peduncles (9)26-66(115) mm, with 2(4) rames;
rames (2.2)2.6-4.3(5.3) cm, usually exserted at maturity, pubescence either evenly distributed or more dense distally within each internode.
spikelets 5-11 mm, scabrous;
awns 8-25 mm;
anthers 3, 2.5-4.5 mm.
spikelets (4.3)4.9-5.4(6.1) mm;
callus hairs 1.5-2.5 mm;
keels of lower glumes scabrous from below the midpoint;
awns 5-16 mm;
anthers 1(3), 2-3.5 mm, red.
spikelets 3.5-12 mm, usually well-developed and staminate.
spikelets vestigial or absent.
= 20, 40, 60 (usually), 70, 80.
= 20.
Andropogon gerardii
Andropogon arctatus
Andropogon gerardii grows in prairies, meadows, and generally dry soils. It is a widespread species, extending from southern Canada to Mexico, and was once dominant over much of its range. It is frequently planted for erosion control, restoration, or as an ornamental; the records from Washington and central Montana reflect such plantings. It hybridizes with A. ballii, the two sometimes being treated as conspecific subspecies.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Andropogon arctatus grows in flatwoods, bogs, and scrublands of southern Alabama and Florida. Its flowering appears to be stimulated by fire but, unlike other members of sect. Leptopogon in the Flora region, the effect lasts only one or two years, the plants then remaining vegetative until the next fire occurs. It is similar to A. ternarius, but differs in its long, usually solitary anther and shorter spikelets.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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