Andropogon gerardi Vitman, big bluestem 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season , rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 4 to 6 feet. 
Leaf blade: Long; flat; scabrous margins. 
Stem: Purplish at base; covered with fine hair. 
Seedhead: 2 to 3 distinct racemes on top of stem, resembling 
toes of a turkey’s foot which suggests another common 
name, turkeyfootgrass. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Produces abundant foliage in late spring from axillary buds at 
basal nodes and from short, scaly rhizomes. Growing points stay 
close to the ground until late summer when seedheads appear. At 
that time, growing points are 2 to 4 inches above ground. Growth 
cycle is 3 to 4 months. Ungrazed leaves and stems form a light 
straw-colored mat on the ground in winter and decompose 
rapidly. 
DISTRIBUTION 
All except four of the Far Western States, Canada, and Mexico. 
(Big bluestem is one of the grasses that characterizes the tall 
grass prairies of the Great Plains, the grasslands of central 
United States, and the blackland belt in the South.) 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Best adapted to deep, fertile soils but grows abundantly during 
wet periods on shallow, gravelly ridges and near limestone ledges. 
Thrives on the blackland soils, particularly the calcareous soils, 
from Texas to Georgia. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Big bluestem is used primarily for grazing but produces abun- 
dant high-quality hay when cut soon after seedheads emerge. 
Livestock and elk prefer it to most associated grasses during 
early stages of growth. 
Grazing should be deferred every 2 to 3 years for 2 to 4 months 
before seed ripen. Hay meadows should not be grazed during 
growing season and only moderately during late fall and winter. 
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