Flower ID: IMG_4640.JPG-07-30-2020 Flower name (scientific): Andropogon gerardi Vitman PY: 1792. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) an-dro-POH-gon jer-AR-dee-eye Flower name (common): Big Bluestem Family name (common): Grass Family name (scientific): Poaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek aner meaning a man and pogon denoting a beard, hence bearded man, referencing the hairs on the spikelets of some of the species in this genus. Specific epithet: Named to honor Louis Gérard (1733 – 1819), French physician and botanist. Common name origin: This species can reach up to eight or more feet in height, hence the label big. The plant displays bluish-purple tinted leaf sheaths and stems, hence the description bluestem. Flower description: Size: of spiklets: 0.1 to 0.5 inches (3 to 13 mm) Petal count: 0 Color: purple Other: flower arrangement, Spike Plant description: Size: 60 to 96 inches (1.5 to 2.4 m) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves up to about 45 cm long and about 13 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): August to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, meadows, open woods, roadsides, sun or semi-shade, generally dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: Used by the Chippewa to prepare a stomach pain medicine and a diuretic (Densmore, pp. 342, 348, 1928). Densmore employs the old synonym name Andropogon furcatus for this plant. Used by other tribes as a fiber and as an aid in drying fruit and other non-medicinal purposes (Moerman, p. 72, 1998). Latitude: 44.796022 Longitude: -91.513687 Altitude: 266.10 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (MB, ON, QC, SK) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym: POWO lists 1 homotypic synonym for this species. Heterotypic Synonym(s): na Autonym:Andropogon gerardi Vitman var. gerardi (The other infraspecific is Andropogon gerardi var.hondurensis R. W. Pohl. This is a Central American variety.)