Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

broomsedge bluestem

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Andropogon virginicus

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

grass

Size:

3-5 ft tall by 0.5 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

green

Fruit Color:

orange

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Background planting or as a casual tall bunching or clumping grass in meadow-like settings.

Considerations:

Can be aggressive in disturbed lands.

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

Seed, division of clumps.

Light:

Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

-|----|--|-------|---- <---------------------------> -|----|-

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Butterflies, Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Larval host for zabulon skipper ( Poanes zabulon ).

Provides food and nesting material for many small birds and other small animals. 

Native Habitats:

Open seepage areas, flatwoods, marshes, ruderal areas.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This plant can be used as a background planting that will create a light orange haze during the late fall and winter months. Andropogon virgnicus var. glaucus (chalky bluestem) is very light blue-green in color and grows in dry sites.