Crimson Bluestem
Schizachyrium sanguineum
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hainan, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malaya, Mali, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sumatera, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad-Tobago, Uganda, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
iNaturalist: © mbintexas (iNaturalist #98014339)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Schizachyrium
- Species:
- Schizachyrium sanguineum
- USDA Symbol:
- SCSA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- red, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Responds well to fire; can increase in abundance after growing-season burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in open, sunny areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold moist stratification for 30-60 days to improve germination.