Beard-grasses
What are they?
The beard-grasses get their name from the fluffy seed heads that are commonly seen in fall. Most species tend be clump-forming and have rather stiff, upright stems.
Where are they found?
Some species are common in old fields and other grassy places, while the smaller Schizachyrium species are commonly found in open sandy places, especially at the coast.
Identification
Beard-grasses are typically clump-forming species with rather stiff, upright stems. They are most obvious in fall when the fluffy seed heads are apparent. Some species are bluish in color in some localized forms, but most are not. For this reason, the alternative name of 'bluestem' for this group is avoided. For species recognition, see the individual species comments.
Forked Beard-grass Andropogon gerardii
(Big Bluestem) Found in dry, often sandy soils of woodland clearings and old fields. Flowers July to September. A species with usually well-branched heads, giving the impression of a finger-grass, however it has the stiff, straight and usually tall stems of a beard-grass. Florets are usually awned but occasionally not.
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Virginia Beard-grass Andropogon virginicus
(Broomsedge Bluestem) A common and widespread species of woodland edge, old fields and roadsides. Flowers August to October. One of the classic native species of Cape May grasslands, perhaps most obvious in fall and winter when its stems turn a rich, golden-brown.
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Broomhead Beard-grass Andropogon glomeratus
(Broom-sedge, Bushy Bluestem) A widespread species of damp, open meadows and wetland edge. Flowers August to October. Sometimes considered merely a form (variety abbreviatus) of Virginia Beard-grass but is now generally considered to be a good species . It differs mainly in its flowering head which broadens out in one plane and is flattened in the other.
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Little Beard-grass Schizachyrium scoparium
(Little Bluestem) Widespread in open woodland and woodland clearings, old fields and other uncultivated, grassy places; usually on dry, sandy soils. Flowers July to October. Usually quite readily told by its clumped growth style and fluffy seed heads. A much shorter species than the Andropogons.
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Coast Beard-grass Schizachyrium littorale
(Shore Little Bluestem) Typically a plant of coastal dunes and sandy beaches where it is common and often locally dominant. Flowers July to October. Formerly considered just a coastal form of Little Bluestem. Usually forms short, compact tufts of upright stems, which may be anything from dark olive-green to pale bluish.
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