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Andropogon Furcatus

Andropogon Furcatus is a tall North American grass that has smooth bluish leaf sheaths and slender spikes borne in pairs or clusters, is a dominant grass of the originally tallgrass prairies, and is used for hay and forage. It belongs to the big bluestem type of lowland prairie grasses which are the most representative, most extensive, and most important of those found on the lowlands. This species is one of the most important dominants of prairie. Andropogon furcatus has almost complete possession of the best lowland soils, sharing them only in a very small way with Sorglhastrun1t nutazns. It keeps out in- vaders, except a limited amount of Poa prateuisis, by its dense shade. Andropogon furcatus is the most important dominant of the grasslands which occupy the broad lowland valleys of the larger streams in the true prairie association. The big bluestem type is almost dominated by this single species, Andropogon furcatus, one of the two most important dominants of prairie (Weaver, 1934, P. 142). Weaver, (1931) stated that this specie constitutes fully 70 per cent of the entire grassland cover together with little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) of uplands. (P. 624).

According to Anderson, (2002), this prairie grass specie has the following alternate Names:  Bluejoint beardgrass, poptillo gigante, turkeyfoot, Andropogon chrysocomus, Andropogon furcatus, Andropogon gerardii var. chrysocomus, Andropogon hallii var. grandiflorus, Andropogon provincialis, Andropogon tennesseensis, Sorghum provinciale.

Content

1.     Abstract

2.     Description

3.     Ecology

4.     Uses

5.     References

Description

Andropogon Furcatus is a perennial warm-season bunchgrass. This prairie grass specie most times referred to as Big Bluestem. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. The main roots are 6–10 ft (1.8–3.0 m) deep, and the plants send out strong. It is the most important dominant of the grasslands which occupy the broad lowland valleys of the larger streams in the true prairie association. Weaver, et al (1934, 142), stated that this is a part of the extensive subclimax prairie found to the eastward within the climatic region of the deciduous forest which represents its persistence in areas where the water content of the soil is high and that this type of prairie extends far southward especially eastward. The big bluestem type is nearly always dominated by a single species, Andropogon furcatus is one of the two most important dominants of prairie. Big bluestem blooms in the summer and seeds into the fall. The inflorescence (flower cluster) is a raceme of two to six, most commonly three, narrow spike-like racemes alternately arranged along the top of the stem. It somewhat resembles a wild turkey's foot. Each raceme contains pairs of spikelets. Each pair has a stalked spikelet with another stalkless spikelet at the base of the stalk. The stalkless spikelet usually has a fertile, perfect floret (with both female and male parts) and an awn (bristle), and the stalked spikelet is awnless, and is sterile or has a staminate (male) flower.

Ecology

Andropogon Furcatus dominates its environment because of its rapid dense, sod-forming habit, and great stature in addition to its tolerance of shade. The seedlings develop and grows rapidly up to I8 inches and a root depth of 2 to 4 feet in a single summer. Both seedlings and mature plants are very tolerant of shade. Its rhizome habit typically develops a characteristic sod. The characteristic dense foliage and accompanying low light make invasion extremely difficult Weaver, (1931, P. 625).

Uses

Conservation:

Big bluestem is the dominant grass species of the Midwestern tallgrass prairie. It is mixed with other native prairie species for prairie restoration and highway revegetation. While it does best in moist soils, it can be used for mine reclamation, logging road restoration and other restoration areas that have sandy or droughty conditions.

Erosion control:

Big bluestem is planted to stabilize soil. Rhizomes are typically 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface, while the main roots can extend downward to 10 feet. Big bluestem is also planted to provide aboveground protection against wind erosion. It is used for road cuts, pipelines, detention basin slopes, and areas that need temporary cover during the restoration process.

Ethnobotanic:

Chippewa Indians used the root of big bluestem as a diuretic and to alleviate stomach pains. Extracts of the leaf blades were used as a wash for fevers or as an analgesic. The plants were also used to fasten the support poles of dwellings. Moist grass was laid on hot stones to prevent steam from escaping during cooking. It was also used to cover fruit during ripening and under fruit while drying. Anderson, (2002).

Forage:

Big bluestem is a high quality forage species for all classes of livestock. Crude protein content of 16-18% is maintained from May through August but drops below 6% in September and October. It is often cultivated as a pasture grass and for haymaking.

Landscaping:

Big bluestem is used in wildflower meadows and prairie plantings. It is also effective as a rear border or accent in native plant gardens.

Wildlife:

Big bluestem provides shelter for nesting birds and insects. Songbirds and prairie chickens consume the seeds while white-tailed deer and bison graze vegetative parts.

References

Weaver, J., & Fitzpatrick, T. (1934). The prairie. Ecological Monographs, 4(2), 112-295.

Weaver, J. (1931). Who's who among the prairie grasses. Ecology, 12(4), 623-632.

Uchytil, R. J. (1988). Fire Effects Information System (FEIS). US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (USFS), Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Retrieved 20 June 2013

Anderson, J. 2002. USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 ( https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_ange.pdf ). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge.

Annex