Cane Bluestem
Bothriochloa barbinodis
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, United States, Uruguay
Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Bothriochloa
- Species:
- Bothriochloa barbinodis
- USDA Symbol:
- BOBA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
paradoxical grass moth (Heliocheilus paradoxus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- golden brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Warm-season grass that resprouts vigorously from crown after fire. Fire stimulates new growth and flowering in prairie ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at warm temperatures without pretreatment. Surface sow or lightly cover as light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Direct seeding on listed beds, irrigation, cultivation and fertilization.
Establishment: Seeds are collected when they form a white fluffy fan at the top of the culms and when they readily detach from the plant. The plant prefers calcareous loamy soils and can survive in very dry areas that receive seasonal flooding. It is an important food and shelter plant for Gambel’s quail and rabbits, and it can be useful in erosion control.
Source: npn.rngr.net