Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Bluestem, little false
Tł’ohdeiłichi’í
(a.k.a. beard grass)

Dark red flowering spikelet growing almost parallel to the stem of the plant

Little bluestem is a medium height grass with coarse stems and basal leaves. Plants are green, but often purplish at base of stem. The entire plant has a reddish cast after frost.

Little bluestem is a dominant understory species occurring in open-canopy pine stands. Seed is generally wind-dispersed only short distances from the parent plant.

Flowers, stalks, and leaf blades
Close-up of flower, which is red, emerging from a greenish-red spikelet

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