SILVER BLUESTEM
Short Description:
Silver Bluestem is a common bunchgrass that is one of the most widely distributed native grasses in Texas. It is known for its resilience in the presence of exotic grasses and it is one of the most competitive native species with KR Bluestem, Buffelgrass, and Guineagrass. Silver Bluestem is regarded as a good to fair forage depending on the range site and soils it is growing on. It generally increases in response to heavy grazing, fire, or other disturbances. Silver Bluestem is a prolific colonizer species, making it a good choice for inclusion in rangeland restoration and reclamation seed mixes. Please call to place an order (210) 661-4191.
All payments are final and no refunds will be processed.
All orders are processed within 2-3 business days.
View Our Terms and Conditions
Description
Silver Bluestem is a native, warm season perennial bunchgrass that grows 3-5’ in height. It is one of the most common native bunchgrasses throughout Texas, and is found in every ecological region of the state. Plants are highly variable in size, color, and growth habit. Silver bluestem grows best on heavy-textured soils, and it is generally not well adapted to extremely sandy soils. It is fair-good forage and known for its resilience in the presence of exotic grasses. It is often one of the only native grasses that persist in heavy stands of Old World bluestems, Buffelgrass, and Guineagrass. Silver Bluestem can provide good cover for wildlife, and is used by quail for nesting cover in some regions. It is used in range seed mixes, for erosion control, reclamation, and for right-of-way revegetation.
Silver Bluestem is an important colonizing grass species for degraded sites and over-grazed rangelands. Two varieties of the plant have been developed for conservation uses, including Santiago Silver Bluestem for western portion of the state, and Starr Longspike Silver bluestem for south and coastal Texas. Wild harvested seeds of the plant are also available from time to time.
Planting: Plant in the spring at a rate of 2-3 lbs. pure live seed (PLS) per acre.
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils.
Height: 2-3 feet
Type: Warm Season Perennial
Region: Texas-wide
For more information: Silver Bluestem Plant Fact Sheet from USDA NRCS