Native  

Herbaceous Perennial 

Schizachyrium scoparium (Andropogon scoparius) 

little bluestem 

A good warm season grass for upland meadows where sight lines are important; used for erosion control on droughty sites; provides food and cover for wildlife and summer forage for livestock. 

indicator   status           FACU 

habitat   Old fields, roadsides, slopes, and meadows; pH 5.8-6.8. 

characteristics  A warm season bunch grass with a dense root system (reaching as deep as 8’); grows from 2’-3’ tall; 10” minimum root depth; full sun; high drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms from July to October; purplish seed heads have grayish green foliage; produces long-lived stands. 

Native 

Herbaceous Perennial 

Scirpus acutus (Schoenoplectus acutus)

hard stemmed bulrush 

Provides food and cover for waterfowl and muskrats, and spawning grounds for bluegills and largemouth bass in shallow water. 

indicator   status           OBL           

habitat   Shallow water of pond and lake margins; pH 5.2-8.5. 

characteristics   A rhizomatous species; grows from 3’-10’ tall; 14” minimum root depth; full sun; moderate drought tolerance; low salt tolerance; blooms from August to September. 

Native 

Herbaceous Perennial 

Scirpus atrovirens 

green bulrush 

Provides cover for wildlife in wet areas. 

indicator   status           OBL           

habitat   Moist meadows, marshes, bogs, stream banks, and pond and lake margins; pH 4.0-8.0. 

characteristics   A decorative bunch-type species; grows to 5’ tall; 12” minimum root depth; full sun; low drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms from June to September. 

Native 

Herbaceous Perennial 

Scirpus cyperinus 

wool grass 

Provides food and cover for waterfowl and muskrats. 

indicator   status           FACW 

habitat   Moist meadows, marshes, swamps, shores, and ditches; pH 4.8-7.2. 

characteristics   A bunch-type species; grows to 5’ tall; 12” minimum root depth; moderate shade tolerance; low drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms from August to September in Regions 1 and 3, and July to September in Region 2.