Little Bluestem

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Schizachyrium scoparium: Little Bluestem

Location near campus: in ornamental grass bed toward southwest corner of Master Gardener areas north of Botanical Center Building in Nathanael Greene park at the Botanical Center.

• native warm-season grass with yellow-green to almost blue, soft, curving leaves
• basal leaves grow about 12-18" tall
• stiff, upright, thick, leafy flowering stems grow 2-6’ tall
• flowers are 2-3 curved, feathery spikes in axils of stem leaves (more showy after frost)
• dried foliage becomes orange-brown to rust-colored and spikes turn feathery white
• likes dry soils, prefers full sun
• native to Missouri