Split bluestem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Split bluestem |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Andropogon
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| Species: |
ternarius
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Andropogon ternarius is a type of grass that has several cool common names. People call it split bluestem, splitbeard bluestem, silver bluestem, or paintbrush bluestem. This grass grows naturally in the southeastern, east-central, and south-central parts of the United States. You can find it from New Jersey all the way down to Florida. It also grows west into states like Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
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What is Split Bluestem?
This grass is a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years. It grows in clumps with many branching stems. These stems can reach a height of 120 to 150 centimeters, which is about 4 to 5 feet tall!
How Does It Look?
The top part of the grass, called the inflorescence, looks like feathery clusters. These clusters are made of pairs of small flower parts called racemes. Each raceme has pairs of tiny seed structures called spikelets. One spikelet in each pair can produce seeds (it's fertile), and the other cannot (it's sterile).
The fertile spikelet has a long, bristle-like part called an awn. This awn can be up to 2.5 centimeters long. The spikelets themselves are covered in long, shiny, silvery hairs. These hairs give the grass a beautiful, almost shimmery look.
When Does It Bloom?
The blooming time for split bluestem depends on where it grows. In the Great Plains region, it usually blooms from August through October. If you are in the Carolinas, you'll see it bloom in September and October. In Louisiana, this grass typically blooms during the fall season.
Where Does Split Bluestem Grow?
This grass likes to grow in many different places. You can often find it in pine and oak forests. It also thrives in open grasslands known as prairies.
Favorite Habitats
Split bluestem is very common in the pine savannas near the border of Texas and Louisiana. A savanna is like a grassland with scattered trees. This grass can also grow well in places that have been changed by humans or animals. This includes areas like pastures where cattle graze. You might also see it in ditches or old farm fields that are no longer used for crops.
How It Helps Nature
In the southern United States, split bluestem often grows in old fields. It grows alongside a related grass called broomsedge. When a field is left alone, different plants grow in stages. First, you might see small weeds. Then, grasses like split bluestem move in. After a while, pine trees might start to grow and eventually shade out the grasses.
Animals and Split Bluestem
This grass is important for some animals. Cattle often eat split bluestem, using it as a food source. Also, a bird called the Northern bobwhite is known to build its nests within the clumps of this grass. This provides a safe place for their eggs and young.
