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Description

Big bluestem is a native, warm season, perennial bunchgrass that grows up to 10’ in height. Historically, big bluestem grew over much of Texas as component of tall- and mid-grass prairies on well drained soils. Forage value of big bluestem is excellent for livestock and the grass provides important wildlife cover. This species is a common component of range seeding mixes, wildlife habitat plantings, and prairie restoration plantings. It is also occasionally used as an ornamental.

Big bluestem is one of the “big 4” species of the Tallgrass Prairies that were once found over large portion of North America. In much of Texas, it is a minor component of most remnant prairies, but is thought to have been much more common prior to settlement and over grazing. It is commonly known as “turkey foot grass” because the seed heads resemble a large three-toed bird’s foot. A very tall and erect species, it tends to grow in dense stands or colonies that spread by rhizomes from a very deep fibrous root system. Big bluestem is intolerant of continuous, close grazing or soil cultivation, resulting in it being extirpated from much of its historic range by past land uses. Earl big bluestem, developed by the USDA NRCS Knox City Plant Materials Center from native plants collected near Weatherford, Texas, is commonly used in Central Texas plantings. Other varieties planted in the state that have good performance include Kaw big bluestem in the Panhandle, North, and East Texas; and Kenedy Germplasm in the southern parts of the Blackland Prairie, the Post Oak Savannah, South Texas Sand Sheet, and Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes.

For more information:

Earl Big Bluestem Brochure from USDA NRCS

Kaw Big Bluestem Brochure from USDA NRCS