Synonym(s): Andropogon annulatus, Andropogon nodosus
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Grass/Grasslike
Kleberg bluestem grows as a bunchgrasses, with culms ranging from 8-40 inches in height. Leaf sheaths are 1.25 to 1.5 inches long, generally hairless, and leaf blades are 1.25 to 12 inches long and narrow in width. The inflorescence is comprised of a central stem with 2-15 racemes (flower branches) bearing numerous pairs of spikelets (flowers) along the central axis of the racemes. These grasses are characterized by a high density of reproductive shoots. Fast springtime growers and mature quickly
Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Kleberg bluestem.
Ecological Threat: When escaped from cultivation in pasture, can invade and outcompete native grasses in bluestem coastal prairie communities.
Biology & Spread: Prolific seed producers. They begin flowering in the spring, and seed in the summer. Seeds are readily transported by wind.
History:
U.S. Habitat: Thrive under grazing conditions and require full sunlight. Have low tolerance to acidic soils and high tolerance to drought and cold.
U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.
Native Origin: Africa, Asia, Papua New Guinea
U.S. Present: HI, LA, TX
Distribution in Texas: Kleberg's bluestem is only found in Texas and Louisiana.
Invaders of Texas Map: Dichanthium annulatum
EDDMapS: Dichanthium annulatum
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Dichanthium annulatum
List All Observations of Dichanthium annulatum reported by Citizen Scientists
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Gulf muhly, gulfhairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris), Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
If the plant is less than two meters tall, hand pulling may be possible. Use a foliar or cut-culm treatment of 1.5% or 27 - 40% glyphosate, respectively.
USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.The Quiet Invasion: A Guide to Invasive Plants of the Galveston Bay Area. Lisa Gonzalez and Jeff DallaRosa. Houston Advanced Research Center, 2006.
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