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Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Also known as: Turkeyfoot

Tallgrass-prairie dominant. Three-pronged seedhead resembles turkey foot.

Family

Poaceae

Type

grass

Lifespan

perennial

Height

7–7 ft

Spacing

2–3 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade

Soil moisture

dry, moist

Soil pH

neutral, alkaline

Bloom

August, September, October, November

Bloom colors

red, blue, brown

Wildlife value

songbirds, butterflies, larval host

Landscape uses

specimen, naturalizing

Native states

AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY