Big Bluestem
Classification:
Family – Poaceae, grass family
Genus species – Andropogon gerardii
Leaves:
Leaves are flat, long, with rough edges. Leaves start out bluish, then turn reddish-purple.
Flowers:
Flower has three spike-like projections, looks like a bird’s foot, usually purplish in color. Flowers are produced in pairs, one with a stalk and one without a stalk.
Roots:
Roots are deep with large rhizomes.
More Information:
The genus name Andropogon is from the Greek; andro- means “man” and -pogon means “beard,” referring to the fuzzy appearance of the seedhead. The species name gerardii refers to the French botanist, L. Gerard (1733-1819), the first person to describe the plant. Big Bluestem is also known as “turkey foot” because of the three-pronged appearance of its flowers.
Photos:Big Bluestem
Big Bluestem
