Anatherum ternarium (Native)

Synonym(s)
Andropogon ternarius
Andropogon ternarius var. ternarius
Common Name
Splitbeard bluestem
Silvery bluestem
Plant Form
Grasses, Sedges & Rushes
Duration
Perennial
Max Height (ft)
4.0
Width (ft)
1.0 - 2.0
Growth Rate
Medium
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain
Hardiness Zone
5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Photographer: scott_cave
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Photographer: scott_cave
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Additional Info

Habitat: Old fields, clearings, and roadsides; less numerous in sandhill woodlands, openings in dune scrub and woodlands, maritime forests, shale or sandstone woodlands and barrens (in the mountains). Common in the Virginia Coastal Plain and Piedmont; rare in the mountains.

Wildlife Value: Members of the genus Anatherum support Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) larvae. 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.

High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife

Flower Color
Cream/White
Flower Prominence
Reduced
Bloom Time
Fall
Bloom Month
September
October
Light Requirements
Full sun
Partial sun
Moisture Requirements
Moist
Average
Soil Texture
Loamy
Sandy
Low Maintenance
Yes
Seed or Fruit eaten by wildlife?
Yes
Pollinators
Butterfiles
Tolerates
Commercially available
Yes

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