Andropogon glomeratus

bushy bluestem

Poaceae (Gramineae)

wildlife plant   wildlife plant   wildlife plant  





Plant Specifics

Form: grass
Life Span: long-lived perennial
Size: Height: 3-5 (6) ft    Width: 1-3 ft
Flower Color: flower color      green,NA
Fruit Color: fruit color   fruit color      orange,green
Phenology: deciduous
Noted for: Fall color


Recommended Uses: Background plant in casual landscape. Fruit stalks start out silvery green and transition to and orangy brown. Retains the old stalks through the winter.
Considerations: May fall over at the end of the season. Will be neater if old stalks are removed before new growth starts in spring.
Propagation: Division, sprigging, seed.
Availability: Native nurseries, Seed
Light: light requirement  
Moisture Tolerance:
Salt Tolerance: Not salt tolerant
Soil or other substrate: Sand, loam, organic material (muck)
Soil pH Range: acidic to neutral


wildlife plant   wildlife plant   wildlife plant  
Seeds eaten by various small birds and other wildlife. Possible larval host plant for Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan), Georgia satyr (Neonympha areolata), neamathla skipper (Nastra neamathla), swarthy skipper (Nastra lherminier) and twin-spot skipper (Oligoria maculata) butterflies.
Native Habitats: Flatwoods, marshes

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida

USDA Zones:

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Suitable to grow in:

Other Comments:

There are several different subspecies of A. glomeratus with different affinities for upland and wetland conditions. A. glomeratus var. glaucopsis is notable as it has a blue-purple coloration and is almost always found in wetlands.