Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Schizachyrium scoparium (Michaux) Nash
(Little Bluestem)
Family: Poaceae
Status: Native
Synonyms:
Andropogon scoparius Michaux var. scoparius
Andropogon scoparius Michaux var. frequens C.E. Hubbard
Schizachyrium scoparium (Michaux) Nash var. frequens (C.E. Hubbard) Gould
Schizachyrium scoparium is a perennial tuftgrass. The spikelets are present in pairs,
one sessile and the other pedicelled. In Schizachyrium scoparium, unlike Schizachyrium cirratum,
the pedicelled spikelet is shorter than the sessile one. In S. scoparium, the pedicel is quite hairy, narrow and long. In S. cirratum, the pedicel is broad and stiff. Schizachyrium scoparium is found in nearly every county in New Mexico.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Schizachyrium scoparium, photo Russ Kleinman, Tyrone, alongside Rte. 90
Schizachyrium scoparium, Schizachyrium cirratum, closeup of spikes, photo Russ Kleinman, Myer Cyn., Nov. 28, 2007
Schizachyrium scoparium, pedicelled spikelet much smaller than sessile one, photo Russ Kleinman, Myer Cyn., Nov. 28, 2007
Back to the Index