New Mexico State University
College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences | ACES
NMSU: Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Bluestem, little false

(a.k.a. beard grass)
Tł’ohdeiłichi’í
Dark red flowering spikelet growing almost parallel to the stem of the plant
Patrick Alexander

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
Patrick Alexander
Close-up of flower, which is red, emerging from a greenish-red spikelet
Patrick Alexander
Scientific Name
Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium
Plant Type
Grass / Grasslike
Growing Season
Warm Season
Stem Placement
Basal
Habitats
  • Ponderosa Pine / Mixed Conifer
  • Grasslands

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Individual photographers retain all rights to their images.
Partially funded by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (westernsare.org; 435.797.2257), project EW15-023.
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