Andropogon gerardii - Big Bluestem

Family:	Gramineae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	2
Width:	2
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern and Central N. America - Maine to Saskatchewan, south to Florida, Arizona and Mexico.

Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 2m and a width of 2m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Big Bluestem will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Big Bluestem will grow in light (sandy), soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Big Bluestem prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Big Bluestem should not be planted in shady areas.

Dry soils, prairies, open ground and open woods[222, 236].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

Requires a light porous sandy soil in full sun[200]. A very ornamental plant, it forms large clumps, spreading by short stolons[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant is analgesic, carminative and diuretic[222]. A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of stomach-aches and flatulence[222, 257]. A tea made from the leaves is used as a wash to relieve fevers and general debility[222, 257].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in early spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for the first winter in a cold greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Manual of the Grasses of the United States
Hitchcock. A. S.
Author: Hitchcock. A. S.
Rating:
Publisher : A nice and comprehensive flora, though a bit dated. Good line drawings of each plant, plus a brief idea of the habitat and a few notes on plant uses. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1971

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