Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com) from Bozeman, Montana, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Andropogon
- Species:
- Andropogon gerardii
- USDA Symbol:
- ANGE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 240 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, browse for deer and livestock
- Fall Color:
- orange, red, bronze
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Highly fire-adapted with deep rhizomes allowing vigorous resprouting. Fire removes thatch and stimulates growth. Historically maintained by regular prairie fires every 1-3 years.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in prairies and open grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light enhances germination. Fresh seed germinates better than stored seed. Temperature fluctuations improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold moist stratified for 14 days or damp stratified by mixing with equal amounts of vermiculite and lightly dampening in a plastic bag or container, stored for 3 to 4 months in a cold room of 34-36 degrees F. Application of gibberellic acid has also been used.
Establishment: Germination and growth are affected by greenhouse temperature and amount and intensity of daytime solar. Seedlings haven't germinated well or thrived in wet, cloudy weather or when night temperatures dip below 65 F. Post-transplant seedlings have experienced slow growth and up to 20% mortality, possibly due to low light and temperatures during winter, media too moist, or root damage from transplanting or fungus gnats.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.