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BIG BLUESTEM--Andropogon gerardii (A. furcatus) |
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| Description: This warm-season, perennial tallgrass has short scaly rhizomes. Coarse seed stalks reach 3 to 7 feet. Each stalk produces one or more hairy, 3- to 6-fingered "turkey foot" spikes, typically 1 1/2 to 4 inches long. Leaves are numerous, large, 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide, usually with coarse hairs. Plants remain green throughout the summer, turning rusty red with maturity. |
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| Distribution, habitat: Big bluestem, a North American native, occurs in all states except in the far west. Its primary range is the central and southern plains where it typifies lowland tallgrass communities. It is found statewide in South Dakota, abundantly in the eastern part on unbroken soils as well as in the Sandhills. Farther west in the state it occupies small protected areas with favorable soil moisture. | |
| Comments: Big bluestem, or turkeyfoot, was the dominant species of the tallgrass prairie. It is excellent in quality, quantity, and palatability. Abundance quickly decreases with frequent mowing or heavy grazing pressure, although it proves remarkably resilient when pressure is removed. It is frequently seeded for prairie restoration; 'Champ,' 'Pawnee,' 'Bison,' and 'Bonilla' are recommended varieties. | |
| Omaha-Ponca Indians used stems of big bluestem to support earthen roofs. From its straight stalks, boys of many tribes fashioned arrow shafts which were used in play and practice for manhood skills. A decoction of lower leaves was drunk for correcting general debility and languor and was used in bathing to reduce fevers. |
Picture and information can be found on pages 18 and 19 of Grassland Plants of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains, by James R. Johnson and Gary E. Larson. Published in 1999 by South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. |
