Andropogon gerardii – Big Bluestem – 3-Quart

Before Big Corn supplanted it, Big Bluestem was The Monarch of the Tall Grass Prairie. It’s still one of the most widespread of North American grasses, occurring from Quebec to Saskatchewan south to Arizona and Florida. An upright, clump-forming grass with green to blue-green leaves that turn a rich orange to copper-red color with occasional deep burgundy tints in Fall. The flowers are three-parted and vaguely resemble an upside down bird’s foot, hence another common name, Turkey Foot. The foliage is eaten by various Skippers and the seeds taken by sparrows and other seed-eating birds.