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Andropogon virginicus - L.

Common Name Broomsedge Bluestem
Family Poaceae or Gramineae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open ground, old fields, open woods, sterile hills and sandy soils[236].
Range Eastern N. America - New York to Florida, west to Texas, Illinois and Ohio.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Andropogon virginicus Broomsedge Bluestem


Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth.
Andropogon virginicus Broomsedge Bluestem
James H. Miller @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Miller, J.H. and K.V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses. University of Georgia Press, Athens

 

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Summary

A perennial grass forming narrow clumps of stems with some medicinal and other uses. Common names include broomsedge bluestem, yellowsedge bluestem and whiskey grass in Australia as it was used as American whiskey bottle packaging.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Andropogon virginicus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Salve

A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of backaches[222]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[222]. Externally, it is used as a wash for frostbite, sores, itching, piles and poison ivy rash[222, 257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the stems[257]. Onion skins are sometimes added when making the dye[257]. Sometimes grown as an ornamental plant (but can be weedy).

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a light porous sandy soil in full sun[200]. Plants are often found in very acid soils in the wild[236]. This plant was inadvertantly introduced to the Hawain Islands in 1932 and has spread widely there. It is considered to be one of the most threatening of exotic species, invading native habitats and altering the fire and hydrology regimes[274].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow in early spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for the first winter in a cold greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario (south)), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan (south), New Jersey, New York (southeast), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Illinois (south), Iowa (southeast), Kansas (east), Missouri, Oklahoma (east), Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas), Mexico (Coahuila de Zaragoza, Nuevo León, Chiapas, Puebla, Tabasco, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, Yucatán) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, United States (Puerto Rico), Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Invasive in Hawaii and California and weedy in other areas of the US. Releasing persistent herbicidal chemicals to competes with other species. Fire tolerant.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Least Concern.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Andropogon gerardiiBig BluestemPerennial2.0 4-8  LNDM012

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200236

Links / References

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