We have many of the dominant tallgrass prairie grasses in Tulsa County, including big bluestem, little bluestem, broomsedge bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass, silver bluestem, and splitbeard bluestem. Fall is a good time to identify them because of their mature seedheads.
Indian Grass
Indian grass is tall (3-7 feet), has a feathery seedhead, and is the Oklahoma State Grass, designated so in 1972. It is important forage for livestock and the seeds are eaten by wildlife.
Big Bluestem prairie grasses
Big bluestem is another tall grass, growing to 7 feet. The seedhead looks like a bird’s foot and a common name for it is “turkey-foot” grass. It is quality food for livestock and the seeds are consumed by birds and small mammals.
Little Bluestem
Little bluestem is a mid-tall grass (2-4 foot) that grows in bunches. The mature seedhead tends to bend back on itself. Widely distributed in America, it is native to all but four western states. It provides excellent forage for livestock and the seeds are an important food for prairie chickens and quail.
Broomsedge Bluestem
Broomsedge bluestem is another mid-tall (2-4 foot) bunchgrass. Despite the name, it is not a true sedge, but a grass. It can be confused with little bluestem, which it may resemble; however, its downy, fuzzy seedheads point straight up rather than being bent over as in little bluestem. It tends to grow in poor soils and is of little forage value.
Silver and Splitbeard Bluestem
Silver bluestem and splitbeard bluestem are less common. The seedheads of both add a little white to an otherwise drab meadow in the dead of winter. The downy, fuzzy seedheads of silver bluestem point straight up and could easily be mistaken for those of broomsedge bluestem. An easy way to tell them apart is that broomsedge has leaves next to the seedheads, silver does not.
The seedhead of splitbeard bluestem is “V”-shaped and, as the name implies, looks like a split beard. We have only two plants of splitbeard bluestem on the property and they faithfully grow each year. Right now, the seedheads are displaying their “split beards.”
On a nice sunny afternoon this fall or winter, if you are able, why not take a walk in a meadow and try to identify some of our unique tallgrass prairie grasses. You are always welcome to come out here. Late afternoon is best when the sun’s slanted rays make the seedheads stand out.
Read more Nature Notes.
