Andropogon capillipes Nash, chalky bluestem 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season , perennial bunch grass. 
Height: 3 to 5 feet. 
Leaf blade: Folded tightly; keeled at base but flattened to- 
ward tip; lower blade 20 to 25 inches long, 1/2 inch wide. 
Leaf sheath: Keeled; overlapping and crowded at base. 
Ligule: Membrane 1/16 inch long. 
Seedhead: Raceme partly enclosed in purplish-brown spathe 
about 1 inch long. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth starts in mid-January in southern Florida and 30 to 45 
days later in northern part of range. Vigorous plants produce 
leaves 8 to 10 inches long in 30 days. Stems, blades, and sheaths 
are covered with a white chalky coating that rubs off easily. Seed- 
heads appear In September and early October. Seed ripen in Octo- 
ber and November. Chalky bluestem is a good seed producer. 
Basal leaves stay green during winter unless temperature falls 
below 20° F. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout Florida, southern North Carolina, South Carolina, 
and Georgia and west to east Texas. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Particularly well adapted to wet acid or neutral sandy soils. 
Makes maximum growth on seepy slopes. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Chalky bluestem is a palatable grass. It furnishes excellent 
spring grazing and produces high-quality winter forage. This 
grass establishes naturally on muckland soils that have been idle 
for 1 to 2 years, making it a valuable grass for protecting these 
soils against erosion. It is an indicator of past grazing use. 
Since this grass seldom contributes more than 10 to 15 percent 
of total herbage on any site, it is seldom selected as a key manage- 
ment species. It maintains itself in the plant composition of graz- 
able woodlands if grazing is deferred every summer and proper 
grazing is practiced during winter. Under good management, it is 
one of the first grasses to become established on a range that has 
been overgrazed. Annual burning reduces stand. 
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