Andropogon gerardii

Common Name: 
big bluestem, turkeyfoot, turkeyclaw, bluejoint
Scientific Name: 
Andropogon gerardii Vitman
Family Name: 
Poaceae (Graminae) - Grass Family
Identification Notes
Life Cycle
native perennial, reproducing by seed and short, scaly rhizomes that slowly expand to form large clumps
Growth Habit of Big Bluestem
Growth Habit of Big Bluestem
Growth Habit of Big Bluestem
Growth Habit of Big Bluestem
Growth Habit of Big Bluestem
Culms
upright, stout, solid, glabrous branching above, grooved on one side, nodes often bluish in color
Leaves
blades flat to rolled inward toward top, margins very rough, long hairs near the base, tapering to sharp pointed tip, prominent midvein; rolled in bud; auricles absent; ligule membranous, short; margins fringed with hair; sheaths open, slightly keeled, s
Seedheads
panicle of 2-6 racemes, racemes usually consisting of 3 digitate racemes, resemble a “turkey’s foot”, terminal