Overview
Comprehensive Description
Description
Elliott’s bluestem is a warm season, perennial bunch grass. The height is usually 2 1/2 to 3 feet. The leaf blade is 6 to 15 inches long, smooth except for cluster of hair just above ligule. The leaf sheath is a basal sheath that is keeled, overlapping, relatively narrow; and has rounded upper sheaths. The stem is erect; 1 to 6 per plant, branching near top. The seedhead is a raceme, partially enclosed in conspicuous enlarged spathe, which turns a rusty color when plant matures.
© USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center
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USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
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Alternative names
Andropogon campyloracheus, Andropogon elliottii, Andropogon elliottii var. gracilior, Andropogon elliottii var. projectus, Andropogon subtenuis.
© USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center
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USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
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Distribution
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)
Belize (Mesoamerica)
Caribbean (Caribbean)
Honduras (Mesoamerica)
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Molina Rosito, A. 1975. Enumeración de las plantas de Honduras. Ceiba 19(1): 1–118.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/866
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Beetle, A. A. 1983. Gram. México 1: 1–260. Secretaria de Agricultura y Recursos Hidraulícos: COTECOCA, México.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/26010
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Beetle, A. A. 1977. Noteworthy grasses from Mexico V. Phytologia 37(4): 317–407.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/2538
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Kucera, C. L. 1998. The Grasses of Missouri 305 pp., University of Missouri Press, Colombia.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1018088
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Hitchcock, A. S. 1936. Man. Grasses W. Ind. 1–439. United States Government Printing Office, Washington.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/20405
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Long, R. W. & O. K. Lakela. 1971. Fl. Trop. Florida i–xvii, 1–962. University of Miami Press, Coral Cables.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1506
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Radford, A. E., H. E. Ahles & C. R. Bell. 1968. Man. Vasc. Fl. Carolinas i–lxi, 1–1183. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/636
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Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston. 1970. Man. Vasc. Pl. Texas i–xv, 1–1881. The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1493
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Small, J. K. 1933. Man. S.E. Fl. i–xxii, 1–1554. Published by the Author, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1515
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Fernald, M. 1950. Manual (ed. 8) i–lxiv, 1–1632. American Book Co., New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1327
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Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1968. The Pteridophytoa, Gymnospermae and Monocotyledoneae. 1: 1–482. In H. A. Gleason Ill. Fl. N. U.S. (ed. 3). New York Botanical Garden, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1495
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Swallen, J. R. 1955. Gramineae. In: P. C. Standley & J. A. Steyermark (eds.), Flora of Guatemala---Part II. Fieldiana, Bot. 24(2): i–ix, 1–390.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/6706
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Catasus Guerra, L. 1997. Las gramíneas (Poaceae) de Cuba, I. Fontqueria 46: [i–ii], 1–259.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1012771
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Gould, F. W. 1967. The grass genus Andropogon in the United States. Brittonia 19(1): 68–73.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/21603
© Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
Source:
Missouri Botanical Garden
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Belize (Mesoamerica)
Honduras (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)
Caribbean (Caribbean)
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Soreng, R. J., G. Davidse, P. M. Peterson, F. O. Zuloaga, E. J. Judziewicz, T. S. Filgueiras & O. Morrone. 2003 and onwards. On-line taxonomic novelties and updates, distributional additions and corrections, and editorial changes since the four published volumes of the Catalogue of New World Grasses (Poaceae) published in Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. vols. 39, 41, 46, and 48. http://www.tropicos.org/Project/CNWG:. In R. J. Soreng, G. Davidse, P. M. Peterson, F. O. Zuloaga, T. S. Filgueiras, E. J. Judziewicz & O. Morrone Internet Cat. New World Grasses. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1024044
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Filgueiras, T. S. 2003. Andropogon. In Catalogue of New World Grasses (Poaceae): III. Subfamilies Panicoideae, Aristidoideae, Arundinoideae, and Danthonioideae. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 46: 20–64.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1004270
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Campbell, C. S. 1983. Systematics of the Andropogon virginicus complex (Gramineae). J. Arnold Arbor. 64: 171–254.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/10939
© Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
Source:
Missouri Botanical Garden
Trusted
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Radford, A. E., H. E. Ahles & C. R. Bell. 1968. Man. Vasc. Fl. Carolinas i–lxi, 1–1183. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/636
-
Small, J. K. 1933. Man. S.E. Fl. i–xxii, 1–1554. Published by the Author, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1515
-
Gould, F. W. 1967. The grass genus Andropogon in the United States. Brittonia 19(1): 68–73.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/21603
© Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
Source:
Missouri Botanical Garden
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National Distribution
United States
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
© NatureServe
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NatureServe
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Physical Description
Type Information
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: Card file verified by examination of alleged type specimen
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): A. Chapman
Locality: Florida, United States, North America
- Lectotype: Chapman, A. W. 1860. Fl. S. U.S. 581.
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
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Ecology
Dispersal
Establishment
New growth starts in early spring but most of growth is made during spring and summer. Seedheads develop during fall, and seedstalks remain for several months. Distinctive seedhead clusters make plants conspicuous after maturity. Grows best in open areas but tolerates some shade. Adapts primarily to well drained soils on uplands and does not tolerate wet sites.
© USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center
Source:
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
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Conservation
Conservation Status
NatureServe Conservation Status
Rounded Global Status Rank: T5 - Secure
© NatureServe
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NatureServe
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National NatureServe Conservation Status
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
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Status
Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.
© USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center
Source:
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
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Management
Cultivars, improved and selected materials (and area of origin)
Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.
© USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center
Source:
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
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Management
Although of fair grazing value, this grass is seldom, if ever, abundant enough to be a key management species. It usually makes up no more than 3 to 5 percent of the plant composition. Proper grazing of more plentiful associated grasses maintains proper percentage of this grass in the plant community.
© USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center
Source:
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Uses
Elliott’s bluestem is grazed readily by cattle during spring and early summer. Forage quality is relatively high when green. Protein concentrate should be provided when grazed during dormant season.
© USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center
Source:
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
Trusted
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