Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii): The Tallest Grass of the American Prairie.
If you spend any time studying native meadows or tallgrass prairies, one plant demands your attention: Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii). Soon towering six to nine feet in ideal conditions and waving like a bronze-red ocean in late summer, this warm-season perennial grass is the undisputed backbone of the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem—and one of the most unique native grasses we can use in habitat gardens today. Certainly, its iconic seedhead, famously shaped like a wild turkey’s footprint, gives Big Bluestem its memorable nickname: “Turkey-Foot Grass.”
Taxonomy & Botanical ID.
•Family: Poaceae (Grass Family).
•Genus: Andropogon.
•Species: Andropogon gerardii.
•Common Names: Big Bluestem Grass, Tall Bluestem, Turkey-Foot.
This species was once basically the dominant grass across millions of acres of tallgrass prairie, stretching from Canada through the Midwest and east toward the Atlantic. It is still one of the most ecologically important grasses in North America—an anchor species for soils, wildlife and pollinator habitat.
How to Identify Big Bluestem
Big Bluestem forms upright clumps, sending up tall blue-green stems that eventually transition to red and bronze by fall. At the top, its branching flower structure generally splits into two to six narrow “fingers,” most often three, creating that unmistakable turkey-foot silhouette. Each “toe” is a raceme lined with paired spikelets. When you see one, you don’t forget it.
Below ground, at the same time, Big Bluestem is just as impressive: its root system can reach five to eight feet deep, helping the plant survive drought, build soil, and out-compete invasive grasses. Prairie ecologists sometimes joke that Big Bluestem is “half grass, half root system”—and for good reason.
Site Preferences & Growing Conditions
Big Bluestem thrives in:
•Full sun (shade will shorten it and make it floppy).
•Well-drained to moderately drained soils.
•Low-to-average fertility.
•Dry to medium moisture.
•Open meadows, prairies, roadsides, or restoration fields.
A. gerardii is extremely drought-tolerant once established and is adapted to fire-based prairie ecology, eventually rebounding vigorously after burns. Historically, it evolved in landscapes shaped by bison herds, grazing cycles, and lightning-sparked fires—and it still responds beautifully to disturbance when managed correctly.
Wildlife & Ecological Benefits.
Big Bluestem is a keystone habitat species. It provides:
•Cover and nesting structure for grassland birds.
•Larval host support for certain butterfly and moth species.
•Shelter for small mammals.
•Erosion control with its deep, binding roots.
In restoration work, Big Bluestem is often one of the first grasses chosen because of how quickly and reliably it establishes ecological structure.
The “Turkey-Tail” Seed Shape.
Its playful common name is rooted in botany. In late summer, seed stalks split into multiple finger-like branches, each loaded with spikelets—creating a visual match for the splayed toes of a wild turkey’s footprint. The awns on each seed can appear whiskered or bearded, and when backlit by golden light, the whole plant glows. It’s both ornamental and unmistakable.
Why Gardeners & Land Stewards Love It.
Big Bluestem is stunning, architectural, and low-input. In a design, it brings:
•Height and movement.
•Fall color.
•Winter structure.
•Habitat density.
•Four-season beauty.
It is especially powerful in meadow gardens, prairie plantings, naturalistic landscapes, and large open spaces where its full height is appreciated.