Little bluestem
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Schizachyrium scoparium
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Poaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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Availability: |
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Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in northern Florida. |
Description: |
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Medium herbaceous grass. |
Height: |
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About 1-2 feet in height; up to 6 feet in flower. Spreading from underground stems (rhizomes) and forming small patches broader than tall. |
Growth Rate: |
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Moderate. |
Range: |
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Widespread in North America (including Mexico) south to South Florida, at least as far south as Palm Beach and Lee counties. |
Habitats: |
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Pinelands |
Soils: |
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Moist, well-drained sandy soils, without humus. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
Light Requirements: |
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Full sun. |
Flower Color: |
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Brownish inflorescence. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Semi-showy inflorescence. |
Flowering Season: |
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Summer-fall. |
Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous caryopsis. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Valuable source of seeds for birds. |
Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed and division. |
Comments: |
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Taxonomy: some authors place S. rhizomatum into synonomy here. |
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