Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Poales
Family:
Species:
gracile
ID:
898769

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Spreng.) Nash

Source:
wcs

Year:
1903

Citation Micro:
Fl. S.E. U.S. : 60 (1903)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000898104

Common Names

  • Gracile Bluestem
  • Gracile Little Bluestem
  • Gracile Grass

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Description

Schizachyrium gracile (also called Slender Bluestem, among many other common names) is a perennial grass native to North America. It has a clump-forming habit and grows to a height of 1-2 feet. Its foliage is blue-green in color and its flowers are silvery-white. It is found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands and prefers dry, sandy soils.

Uses & Benefits

Schizachyrium gracile is used as an ornamental grass in landscaping, as well as for erosion control and soil stabilization. It is also used to make brooms and baskets.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Schizachyrium gracile is a small, yellowish-green spikelet, with a single floret. The seed is a small, round, dark-brown nutlet. The seedling is a small, thin, light-green shoot.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Schizachyrium gracile is a perennial grass that grows in clumps and can reach heights of up to 3 feet. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils. Propagation is done by seed, which should be planted in the spring. It is also possible to divide the clumps in the spring or fall.

Where to Find Schizachyrium gracile

Schizachyrium gracile can be found in the southeastern United States, from Texas to Florida and north to Virginia.

Species in the Schizachyrium genus

Schizachyrium beckii, Schizachyrium bemarivense, Schizachyrium brevifolium, Schizachyrium claudopus, Schizachyrium condensatum, Schizachyrium crinizonatum, Schizachyrium cubense, Schizachyrium delavayi, Schizachyrium delicatum, Schizachyrium djalonicum, Schizachyrium dolosum, Schizachyrium exile, Schizachyrium fragile, Schizachyrium gaumeri, Schizachyrium gracile, Schizachyrium gracilipes, Schizachyrium gresicola, Schizachyrium impressum, Schizachyrium jeffreysii, Schizachyrium kwiluense, Schizachyrium lomaense, Schizachyrium lopollense, Schizachyrium maclaudii, Schizachyrium malacostachyum, Schizachyrium maritimum, Schizachyrium mexicanum, Schizachyrium microstachyum, Schizachyrium muelleri, Schizachyrium mukuluense, Schizachyrium niveum, Schizachyrium nodulosum, Schizachyrium occultum, Schizachyrium pachyarthron, Schizachyrium parvifolium, Schizachyrium penicillatum, Schizachyrium perplexum, Schizachyrium platyphyllum, Schizachyrium pseudeulalia, Schizachyrium pulchellum, Schizachyrium radicosum, Schizachyrium reedii, Schizachyrium rhizomatum, Schizachyrium ruderale, Schizachyrium sanguineum, Schizachyrium scabriflorum, Schizachyrium scintillans, Schizachyrium scoparium, Schizachyrium spicatum, Schizachyrium stoloniferum, Schizachyrium sulcatum,

Species in the Poaceae family

Achnatherum pekinense, Achnatherum pubicalyx, Achnatherum sibiricum, Achnatherum turcomanicum, Achnatherum brandisii, Achnatherum bromoides, Achnatherum calamagrostis, Achnatherum confusum, Achnatherum inebrians, Achnatherum jacquemontii, Achnatherum virescens, Achnatherum paradoxum, Achnatherum nakaii, Achnatherum pelliotii, Achnatherum haussknechtii, Achnatherum mandavillei, Achnatherum pilosum, Achnatherum parviflorum, Achnatherum staintonii, Aciachne acicularis, Aciachne flagellifera, Aciachne pulvinata, Acidosasa breviclavata, Acidosasa brilletii, Acidosasa chinensis, Acidosasa edulis, Acidosasa glauca, Acidosasa guangxiensis, Acidosasa lingchuanensis, Acidosasa nanunica, Acidosasa notata, Acidosasa purpurea, Acidosasa venusta, Acidosasa carinata, Acostia gracilis, Acrachne henrardiana, Acrachne perrieri, Acrachne racemosa, Acritochaete volkensii, Acroceras amplectens, Acroceras attenuatum, Acroceras boivinii, Acroceras bosseri, Acroceras calcicola, Acroceras chaseae, Acroceras diffusum, Acroceras elegans, Acroceras excavatum, Acroceras fluminense, Acroceras gabunense,

References

Kurt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel (1766-1833): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Spreng.' in the authors string.
John Kunkel Small (1869-1938): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Small' in the authors string.
George Valentine Nash (1864-1921): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Nash' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:229323-2: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].