little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Also known as: little bluestem
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Montrealais
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Schizachyrium
- Species:
- Schizachyrium scoparium
- USDA Symbol:
- SCSC
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- bronze, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Stereomita andropogonis, ⚠️Cobweb Skipper (Hesperia metea), crossline skipper (Polites origenes), ⚠️Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae), ⚠️Dotted Skipper (Atrytone arogos), Dusted Skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna), Indian Skipper (Hesperia sassacus), Leonard's skipper (Hesperia leonardus), 🛑Loammi skipper (Atrytonopsis loammi), Meske's Skipper (Hesperia meskei), Miriama's skipper (Hesperia miriamae), 🛑Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe), Swarthy Skipper (Nastra lherminier)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- bronze, orange, red, copper
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Highly fire-adapted warm-season bunchgrass that resprouts vigorously from the base after burning. Fire removes thatch and stimulates growth.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in open, sunny areas; drought-tolerant
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light aids germination; sow on surface or barely cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates but is not always required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.