Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Poales
Family:
Species:
malacostachyum
ID:
898792

Status:
valid

Authors:
(J.Presl) Nash

Source:
wcs

Year:
1912

Citation Micro:
N. Amer. Fl. 17: 102 (1912)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000898127

Common Names

  • Malacostachys Bluestem
  • Malacostachys Grass
  • Malacostachys Prairie Grass

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Description

Schizachyrium malacostachyum (also called Soft Bluestem, among many other common names) is a species of grass native to Africa. It has short, thin stems with small, green leaves and small, white flowers. It grows in dry, sunny areas, such as savannas and open woodlands.

Uses & Benefits

Schizachyrium malacostachyum is used as an ornamental grass in landscaping, and its seeds are used as bird feed. It is also used as a fodder grass for livestock and as a soil stabilizer.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Schizachyrium malacostachyum is a small, pale-green spikelet with a single floret. The seed is small and dark brown. The seedlings are thin and grass-like.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Schizachyrium malacostachyum is a warm-season grass that can be propagated by seed. It prefers moist, fertile soils in full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and can be grown in areas with low fertility. It is drought tolerant and can be mowed regularly to maintain a neat appearance. It is also tolerant of heavy grazing.

Where to Find Schizachyrium malacostachyum

Schizachyrium malacostachyum 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

George Valentine Nash (1864-1921): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Nash' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:229331-2: 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].