Family: Poacaea (Grass)
Scientific Name: Andropogon Gerardii
Prairies (clay, black soil, sand), savannas, grassy fens (wetlands), well-managed native pastures, roadsides. The most common grass of the native tall grass prairie. Pre-colonial settlement, Big Blue Stem once covered a massive range from Maine to the Rocky Mountains, from Quebec to Mexico.
Watch for: Long, hairy and wavy leaves from the stem. Leaves flat and wide, smooth below and rough above. Stems jointed, with a purple 3-part “turkey foot” seed head. In mid-summer, the yellow flower parts dangle from the seed head like decorations.
Other names: Turkey Foot, Bluejoint Beardgrass, Cattle’s Ice-cream Read more