NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Andropogon ternarius
Splitbeard Bluestem, Bunchgrass, Silver Bluestem, Split Bluestem
Scientific Name: |
Andropogon ternarius |
|---|---|
Genus: |
Andropogon |
Species Epithet: |
ternarius |
Common Name: |
Splitbeard Bluestem, Bunchgrass, Silver Bluestem, Split Bluestem |
Plant Type |
Grass/Sedge/Rush |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Poaceae (Grass Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
1-3 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
Green |
Light: |
Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Dry, Moist |
Bloom Time: |
September, October |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain |
Habitat Description: |
Sandhills, dry to moist soils of woodlands and openings. Uncommon in NC mountains, common in piedmont and coastal plain. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate, Basal |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Important for Wildlife |
Landscape Value: |
Recommended and Available |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
Notes: |
Good fall color and decorative seedhead. Suitable for xeriscaping. |
|
Very attractive racemes in Fall Pender County, NC
Lara Berkley |
|
|
The pairs of feathery racemes become more separated as the fruits mature. The spikelets have very long, silvery hairs. Nick’s Creek Preserve, Moore Co., NC
Bettina Darveaux |
|
Links: |
NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/andropogon-ternarius/ Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/species_account.php 700 Bird-friendly Plants for NC: https://nc.audubon.org/700 |
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