Kleberg's bluestem
Dichanthium annulatum
Also known as: Kleberg's bluestem, medio bluestem
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Andaman Is., Angola, Bangladesh, Borneo, Botswana, Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Chad, China, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Gulf States, Hainan, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jawa, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon-Syria, Lesser Sunda Is., Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, South China Sea, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Macleay Grass Man (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Dichanthium
- Species:
- Dichanthium annulatum
- USDA Symbol:
- DIAN
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, green
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, livestock forage
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from base after fire; typical of warm-season bunchgrasses adapted to periodic burning.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in grasslands and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with warm temperatures and adequate moisture. Light enhances germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI