Andropogon gyrans Ashe

Elliott's Bluestem; Elliott's Broom Sedge

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Elliott's Bluestem is a native perennial in the Grass family (Poaceae). It occurs throughout Alabama, but is most common in the southern half of the state. Elliott's Bluestem occurs in dry sandy soils of pine or oak woodlands, on roadsides, and in old fields. It usually occurs as isolated clumps mixed with other Broom Sedge (Andropogon) or Bluestem (Schizachyrium) species. It rarely forms large patches. Elliott's Bluestem is a clump forming perennial with fibrous roots. The basal and lower stem leaves are up to 10 inches long, linear in outline, glabrous or pubescent, with entire margins. Stems are 1-many per clump. The stems are 1-3 feet in height and usually unbranched. Flowers are produced in terminal false panicles. Pedicellate spikelets are usually vestigial or absent. The sessile spikelets are usually only partly exserted from upper culm sheaths. These sheaths are enlarged and overlapping. The fruit is a grain.--A. Diamond

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Native FAC (NWPL)

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