The Blues Little Bluestem Common Name: The Blues Little Bluestem Botanical Name: Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art · The Blues Little Bluestem Transcript Read More LITTLE BLUESTEM TRANSCRIPT NARRATOR: Little Bluestem is common in the Great Plains. Ethnobotanist Justin Nolan offers a brief history of this tough prairie grass as well as some of its surprising medicinal uses. JUSTIN NOLAN: Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium. Little Bluestem is a beloved perennial prairie grass tied bio geographically to the Great Plains states. Growing up to five feet tall, this drought-resistant species was adopted in 2010 as a state grass of Kansas where it is documented in every county of that state. Little Bluestem is associated symbolically with pioneer life and survival in the American Midwest, particularly Missouri and Northwest into Nebraska, where Little Bluestem provided erosion control. Its roots are dense and several feet deep, and also fiber for cordage construction is associated with Bluestem as well as foraging food for wild grazers. Herds of bison once subsisted on this predominant species, and interestingly, this grass appears to have some medicinal application as well. There are sporadic reports of use of its stem ashes used by the Comanche Indians for the treatment of syphilitic skin sores. The Blues Little Bluestem Plant family: Poaceae Location: Art Trail Growing zone: 3-9 Height: 2-3 ft. Spread: 1.5-2 ft. Bloom time: September, October Bloom description: Although not a showy flower, downy seed heads adorn this native grass in late summer. The seed heads give this plant a pop of interest as the summer changes and fall begins. Leaf type: The leaves are bluish green with red accents in the active seasons. As fall takes over, the leaves turn to shades of orange, red, purple, and dark blues. Garden uses: The Blues Little Bluestem is a great choice for mass planting or for use as a vertical accent. In our gardens, we use it primarily for mass plantings because the vertical growth paired with the exceptional fall color make this plant a showstopper in the fall. It is also a good choice for erosion control or bank stabilization as it does seed easily. Little Bluestem prefers well-drained, poor soil in full sun. Wildlife benefits: This is a great plant to use in any landscape, but especially in a wildlife garden. The seeds provide food to small mammals and some birds. The leaves provide nesting material as well as shelter for ground-nesting birds. This is also the host plant for several species of skippers (butterflies).
