Andropogon virginicus

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Broomsedge Bluestem

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:Grass
Size:3-5 ft tall by 0.5 ft wide
Life Span:Short-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.
Propagation:Seed, division of clumps.
Availability:Seed
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance: Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or other substrate:Sand
Soil pH:

Ecology

Wildlife:
  

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

Insects:
  

Larval host for zabulon skipper (Poanes zabulon).

Native Habitats:Open seepage areas, flatwoods, marshes, ruderal areas.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 8A 8B 9A 9B 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Comments

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.