Paula Parson, Rio Grande Valley Invaders

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): Andropogon aristatus

Duration: Perennial

Habit: Grass/Grasslike

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: Angleton 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.

History: Angleton and yellow bluestem were introduced as improved cultivars in the 1980s and 1990s.

Biology & Spread: Prolific seed producers. They begin flowering in the spring, and seed in the summer. Seeds are readily transported by wind.

Ecological Threat: When escaped from cultivation in pasture, can invade and outcompete native grasses in bluestem coastal prairie communities.

US Habitat: Thrive under grazing conditions and require full sunlight. Have low tolerance to acidic soils and high tolerance to drought and cold.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: India and possibly parts of southeast Asia.

US States: FL, HI, LA, TX

Resembles/Alternatives: Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Gulf muhly, gulfhairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris), Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Management: 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.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

The Quiet Invasion: A Guide to Invasive Plants of the Galveston Bay Area. Lisa Gonzalez and Jeff DallaRosa. Houston Advanced Research Center, 2006.

Data Source

Last Updated: 2007-03-24 by Damon Waitt