Plains bluestem

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Plains bluestem

Plains bluestem

Plains bluestem inflorescence

Plains bluestem inflorescence

Plains Bluestem

Morphology

Culm

Slender, solid, sometimes decumbent at base, grooved on one side, glabrous to short-hairy at nodes.

Blades

Flat to folded or rolled under, 1/2 to 9 inches long, less than 1/5 inch wide, midrib prominent, rough to thinly hairy, particularly on upper surface near collar.

Sheath

Longer than internodes, slightly keeled, glabrous.

Ligule

Fringed membrane.

Inflorescence

Panicle, digitate (like fingers on a hand), purplish, terminal; inflorescence axis shorter than branches,; branches 2-8, each .8 to 2.8 inches long; rachis and pedicels fringed with silky hairs.

Spikelets

In pairs; one sessile and perfect; one stalked, as large or slightly larger, sterile; awns of fertile lemmas twisted, bent, .4 to .6 inch long.

Ecology

Habitat

Waste ground, roadsides, and pastures; fine-textured, calcareous soils.

Distribution

Scattered throughout Kansas.

Practical Information

Forage Value

Livestock will consume plains bluestem during its early growth stages.

Uses

Plains bluestem has been used for pasture, hay and soil conservation purposes such as bank stabilization.

Additional Notes

Synonyms

Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.