Splitbeard Bluestem

Andropogon ternarius Commonly known as Splitbeard Bluestem and Silver Bluestem.A warm-season, clump-forming, perennial grass species native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico from the Mid-Atlantic coastal plain south through peninsular Florida and west to Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, eastern Texas, and Coahuila, Mexico. It can be found growing in prairies, fields, pastures, woodland openings, disturbed areas, and along roadsides. Mature clumps will reach 3-4' tall and spread by short rhizomes to fill a 1-2' area. The narrow, linear foliage will reach 1-3' long and tends to arch and curl down towards the base of the plant. The top half to two thirds of the upright stems are lined with paired rames (groups of spikelets) that bloom from late summer into fall. After the seeds mature and the rames shatter, dense tufts of white to tawny colored hairs reaching up to 0.3" long are left behind, adding to the seasonal interest of this plant. The stems and leaves also turn sh