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Schizachyrium scoparium Little bluestem

Previous scientific name(s): Andropogon scoparius

 

Formerly known as Andropogon scoparius. Warm season, moderately drought tolerant, long-lived perennial bunchgrass with a deep fibrous root system. Adapted to a wide range of soils but intolerant of wetlands or sub-irrigated sites. Provides good palatability to livestock and wildlife. Useful for improving rangelands and stabilizing a wide variety of soils including sand.

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Species Attributes

Height:

13 - 24 in.

Life Form:

Bunchgrass

Native or Introduced:

Native

Season:

Warm

Sun & Shade Tolerance:

granite seed sun and shade tolerance icon granite seed sun and shade tolerance icon

Elevation:

ft.

Precipitation:

12 - 16 in.

Soil Texture
Coarse:

Average

Moderately Coarse:

Average

Medium:

Best

Moderately Fine:

Average

Fine:

Not Adapted

Soil pH
Acidic:

Average

Neutral:

Best

Basic:

Average

Seeding Rate:

4 - 7 PLS lbs/Acre

Pure Seed per Bushel:

6.50 lbs.

Seeds per Pound:

260,000

Germination Time:

Days

Mycorrhizal Dependent:

Yes

Planting Season:

Spring Summer

Varieties:

Cimarron

Moderately late maturing, selected from numerous accessions. Recommended for NE, CO and WY.

Variety Release Notes:
SCSC-Cimarron_0.pdf
Aldous

A broad-based variety selected for leafiness, disease resistance, and seed production. It is non-uniform but generally produces tall, blue-green forage. Cimarron plants produce forage with high protein content and dry matter digestibility. (Released 1979, source of ecotype: collections from KS, OK, CO, NM)

Variety Release Notes:
SCSC-Aldous_0.pdf
Itasca

A tall, leafy, vigorous strain which is medium-late in maturity and more uniform than common accessions. Produces abundant forage, somewhat resistant to rust. Recommended for use in KS and OK. (Released 1966, source of ecotype: Flinthills, KS)

Variety Release Notes:
SCSC-Itasca_0.pdf
Blaze

A relatively short variety developed for its cold hardiness and seed production capability in northern latitudes. Early maturing variety with outstanding vigor and abundant foliage. (Released 2001, source of ecotype: Itasca State Park, MN)

Variety Release Notes:
Badlands

Selected for late maturity, leafiness, seed production and seedling vigor. Develops into a medium-tall plant with good forage productivity. (Released 1967, source of ecotype: native prairies of NE and KS)

Variety Release Notes:
lands

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