Practical
Plants

Andropogon gerardii

Big Bluestem

a perennial member of the Andropogon genus in the family Gramineae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Gramineae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
2 m
Spread
2 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is analgesic, carminative and diuretic[2]. A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of stomach-aches and flatulence[2][4]. A tea made from the leaves is used as a wash to relieve fevers and general debility[2][4].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic

Environment

Range
Eastern and Central N. America - Maine to Saskatchewan, south to Florida, Arizona and Mexico.
Habitat
Dry soils, prairies, open ground and open woods[2][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in early spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for the first winter in a cold greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a light porous sandy soil in full sun[1]. A very ornamental plant, it forms large clumps, spreading by short stolons[1].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  2. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Hitchcock. A. S. Manual of the Grasses of the United States Dover Publications. New York. 1971-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22717-0

    ↩

  4. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

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