Bluestem grass refers to native North American perennial grasses, primarily Big Bluestem and Little Bluestem. These warm-season grasses once formed the dominant cover of the vast tallgrass prairie ecosystems. Known for their resilience, bluestems are recognized by their distinctive color shift from summer green to vibrant shades of blue, copper, and red in the cooler months. Their dense growth and durability were integral to the lives of Native American tribes and early settlers in prairie regions.
Defining the Bluestem Grasses
The two most prominent species are Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Big Bluestem, often called the “king of the prairie,” is a tall, stout grass that can reach heights between four and ten feet. It is easily identifiable by its flower clusters, which typically divide into three finger-like branches, closely resembling a turkey’s foot. Its stems are blue-green during the summer before transitioning to a reddish-copper color in the fall.
Little Bluestem is a much shorter plant, typically growing in upright bunches between two and five feet tall. Unlike its taller relative, Little Bluestem is a true bunchgrass, forming dense clumps that do not spread aggressively by rhizomes. The foliage is slender and often has a silvery-blue hue at the base, which deepens into striking shades of bronze-orange and rosy-red during autumn and winter.
Habitat and Ecological Significance
Bluestem grasses are foundational species of the tallgrass prairie. Their ability to thrive is due to their remarkably deep, fibrous root systems, which can extend five to ten feet into the soil. This network allows the plants to access deep moisture reserves, making them highly tolerant of drought conditions.
The dense root mass is also effective at stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, especially on slopes and disturbed ground. This anchoring quality helped form the rich prairie topsoil across North America. Bluestem serves as an important resource for wildlife, providing high-quality forage for grazing animals and offering cover and nesting sites for small mammals and birds. The grasses also function as a larval host for several species of skipper butterflies, connecting them to the insect food web.
Cultivation and Practical Uses
Bluestem grasses are widely used in land management and agriculture. In farming, Big Bluestem is valued as a warm-season forage, producing excellent quality hay for livestock. It provides grazing value during the hot summer months when cool-season grasses often slow their growth.
Bluestem is utilized in conservation and land reclamation efforts. It is a preferred species for prairie restoration projects, and its deep root structure makes it an effective, low-maintenance choice for erosion control and rehabilitating areas that have been overgrazed or disturbed.
Bluestem is increasingly popular in ornamental landscaping. Its upright, architectural form and intense seasonal color provide texture and visual interest in gardens. Cultivars of Little Bluestem are favored for their more compact size and consistent blue or rosy-red foliage, making them suitable for residential borders and mass plantings.