Little Bluestem
Native – Perrenial – Warm Season
Little bluestems grows between two and six feet tall and changes color throughout the year from blue-green in the early summer to reddish-brown in the fall. Though Little bluestem reproduces by seeds, fertile seeds are not produced yearly. It is considered a highly desirable tall grass along with switchgrass, Indiangrass, and big bluestem. The grass has medium grazing value with the most productive grazing from March to July. While little bluestem has little forage value, it is an excellent nesting cover for ground nesting birds. Little bluestem is weakened by continuous grazing and can be managed with rotational grazing and proper stocking. The grass responds favorably to prescribed burning.