NAME: BIG BLUESTEM     Andropogon gerardi  
DESCRIPTION:

Leaf:  Long, narrow; lower leaf sheath of young growth has long hairs.
Flower:  The inflorescence is three-branched; hence, the name “turkey foot”.
Flower is present late summer.
Stem:  Reddish-blue in color, 4-7 feet tall.

DISCUSSION:

This grass was a chief component of the original prairie and was used for grazing or as a hay meadow.  Today, it is found along railroad rights-of-way and scattered ditches along roads, and we have only a small sample of this grand species.


 

DISTRIBUTION:

Found in Tall Grass Prairies southward into the Texas Prairie.
 

IMAGES:       Back to Grasses 

       


 

 

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COPYRIGHT:

© Copyright 2002, L&T Natural Images and Madsion Jr. High, all rights reserved. Contact information: email at lcwik@naperville203.org or tcoutts@naperville203.org

REFERENCES:

Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt.  Prairie Pants of Illinois.
Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 1985.

Young, Dick.  Kane County Wild Plants and Natural Areas.  2nd ed. Geneva, Il:
Kane County Illinois Forest Preserve District, 1994.
 
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