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, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana, 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, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Schizachyrium
- Species:
- Schizachyrium sanguineum
- USDA Symbol:
- SCSA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- red, purple
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, copper, bronze
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the base after fire. Adapted to periodic burns typical of grassland ecosystems.
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:
- Germinates best at warm temperatures (70-85°F) after cold stratification. Light aids germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI