Sand Bluestem

Scientific name:   Andropogon hallii Hack.  

Description:  Sand Bluestem is a native, perennial, warms season bunchgrass which can reach heights of 7 feet.  Sand bluestem reproduces by both seed and rhizomes.  Sand Bluestem is considered a poor seed producer in its native habitat and spreads mainly by rhizomes. Sand Bluestem occurs on native prairies west of the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from Canada to Mexico.  Sand Bluestem is considered an important part of the prairie and is generally used in all sandy land native mixes.  Forage production is good to excellent in quality and when heavily grazed it will decrease in relation to most other species.  Breediing efforts have resulted in varieties with improvements in seedling vigor, seed production, and forage production.      

 Plant Taxonomy

 Plant Characteristics of Sand Bluestem   

Uses of Sand Bluestem

Erosion control:  Sand Bluestem is used extensively in soil conservation because its adaptation to sand and extension root system.

Livestock:  Sand Bluestem is a good to excellent forage due to its high palatability and high yield.  Forage should be harvested prior to seedhead formation as palatability rapidly decreases once it reaches maturity which is true of most of native grasses.

Wildlife:  Sand Bluestem is browsed by many wildlife species and provides nesting and cover for upland game birds.

Landscape:  Sand Bluestem makes an attract landscape plant in sandy type soils.  Its ability to tolerate stresses makes it very desirable as a low-maintenance species.

Commercially Available Cultivars of Sand Bluestem

‘Chet’ (2004 by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service in cooperation with the Oklahoma Agricultural Experimental Station and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service:  Dr. Tim Springer, Southern Plains Research Station, Woodward, OK)

‘Woodward’ (1955, cooperatively by Oklahoma and Kansas Experiment Stations and Plant Science Research Division)