The "monarch of grasses" — the iconic tallgrass prairie grass that once dominated the Great Plains. Reaches 8+ feet tall. Distinctive three-pronged seed heads ("turkeyfoot").

Also called: Turkeyfoot Grass, Beardgrass, Bluejoint

Native status: Native to central and eastern US

§ Quick facts

SizeHeight 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft); rarely 3 m; root system extends 3+ m deep
WeightN/A
LifespanPerennial; clumps long-lived; clonal patches indefinite
OrderPoales
FamilyPoaceae

§ Encyclopedia

Andropogon gerardi, commonly known as big bluestem, is a species of tall grass native to much of the Great Plains and grassland regions of central and eastern North America. It is also known as tall bluestem, bluejoint, and turkeyfoot.

Source: Wikipedia — Andropogon gerardi Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Tall warm-season grass with bluish-green leaves; distinctive three-pronged "turkey-foot" seed head at maturity (looking like a bird's foot); copper-red fall color.

Similar species. Indiangrass (different seed head). Switchgrass (different seed head, more open). Little Bluestem (much shorter, more orange).

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. N/A — photosynthesis; C4 metabolism efficient under hot dry conditions

Behavior. Defining grass of the tallgrass prairie — historically dominated 240 million hectares of the central US Great Plains. Roots can comprise 3x the biomass of above-ground tissue, descending 3+ m and creating the prairie's legendary deep, fertile black soil. State grass of Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Less than 4% of the original tallgrass prairie ecosystem remains.

§ Range

Tallgrass prairie regions

§ Habitat

Tallgrass prairies, restored grasslands

§ Threats

Conversion of tallgrass prairie to row crops, garden monocultures.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the big bluestem is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Plant in prairie gardens. Support prairie restoration. Don't mow during August seed set.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USDA Plants Database
  • Konza Prairie LTER
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center