Splitbeard bluestem is a native ornamental warm-season perennial bunchgrass in the grass family (Poaceae) native to the Central and eastern United States to northeastern Mexico. It is found in meadows, plains and in open woodlands. The specific epithet ternarius means "in groups of three." The original description of this species describes the stems as having three, bifid spikes (modern descriptions put the number at 3-30 or more) and each floret having three anthers. It grows up to 4 feet tall with a 2-foot spread, often in sandy soil in full sun, but can tolerate some shade. Well-drained soil, such as a sandy loam with low fertility, is its preference. Summer foliage is a silvery blue-green turning copper, red, and bronze in the fall. From late summer through fall, fluffy, silver seed heads catch the sun. Looks beautiful in many settings, including meadows, cottage gardens, woodland areas or planted en masse. It is a host plant to some butterflies and provides seeds for birds. Fire Risk: This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Overly wet soils can lead to root rot.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Native Plant; Ornamental Grasses and Sedges; Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Clumping; Erect; Vase
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Sheath
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Good Dried; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The flat leaves are 8-18 inches long and very narrow at 2-4 mm wide. Both the leaves and sheaths are often densely hairy and have a waxy silver appearance. They develop a blue cast with age and turn copper or red in the fall.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gray/Silver; White
Flower value
Good Dried; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower detail
The inflorescence has three to six pairs of racemes about 2 inches long with a white tuft of hair at the base. Flowers bloom from September to October.
Bloom time
Fall
Fruit color
Gray/Silver
Fruit type
Achene; Caryopsis
Fruit detail
Seed heads are fluffy, silvery and shimmer in the wind from October to November.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The stems are long, slender, erect and often purplish to reddish-green with green upper sheaths.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Central & E. U.S.A. to NE. Mexico
Distribution
AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Anatherum support Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) larvae which have one brood from late May to October. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar. This plant also supports various Skipper larvae. Provides excellent cover year-round. Seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Play value
Wildlife Nesting; Wind Shimmer
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene; Caryopsis
Uses (ethnobotany)
Adropogons were historically used for broom straw. Used for cattle grazing.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Meadow; Naturalized Area; Near Septic; Slope/Bank