Andropogon gerardii

• Common Names
• Description
• Biology
• Taxonomy
• Similar Species
• More Info
• Further Reading
• Notes

Common Names

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Description

Family Poaceae

Annual or perennial herbs, or tall woody bamboos . Flowering stems (culms ) jointed , internodes hollow or solid; branches arising singly from nodes and subtended by a leaf sheath and 2-keeled prophyll, often fascicled in bamboos. Leaves arranged alternately in 2 ranks , differentiated into sheath, blade , and an adaxial erect appendage at sheath/blade junction (ligule) ; leaf sheath surrounding and supporting culm-internode, split to base or infrequently tubular with partially or completely fused margins , modified with reduced blade in bamboos (culm sheaths) ; leaf blades divergent, usually long, narrow and flat, but varying from inrolled and filiform to ovate , veins parallel, sometimes with cross-connecting veinlets (especially in bamboos) ; ligule membranous or a line of hairs . Inflorescence terminal or axillary , an open, contracted , or spikelike panicle, or composed of lax to spikelike racemes arranged along an elongate central axis, or digitate, paired , or occasionally solitary; axillary inflorescences often many, subtended by spatheoles (specialized bladeless leaf sheaths) and gathered into a leafy compound panicle; spikelets often aggregated into complex clusters in bamboos. Spikelets composed of distichous bracts arranged along a slender axis (rachilla) ; typically 2 lowest bracts (glumes ) empty, subtending 1 to many florets ; glumes often poorly differentiated from accompanying bracts in bamboos. Florets composed of 2 opposing bracts enclosing a single small flower, outer bract (lemma) clasping the more delicate, usually 2-keeled inner bract (palea) ; base of floret often with thickened prolongation articulated with rachilla (callus) ; lemma often with apical or dorsal bristle (awn ), glumes also sometimes awned . Flowers bisexual or unisexual ; lodicules (small scales representing perianth) 2, rarely 3 or absent, 3 to many in bamboos, hyaline or fleshy ; stamens 3 rarely 1, 2, 6, or more in some bamboos, hypogynous, filaments capillary , anthers versatile; ovary 1-celled, styles (1 or) 2(rarely 3), free or united at base, topped by feathery stigmas, exserted from sides or apex of floret. Fruit normally a dry indehiscent caryopsis with thin pericarp firmly adherent to seed, pericarp rarely free, fleshy in some bamboos; embryo small or large; hilum punctate to linear .

About 700 genera and 11,000 species: widely distributed in all regions of the world.[1]

Genus Andropogon

Annual or perennial . Leaf blades linear , not aromatic ; ligule scarious or reduced to a line of hairs . Inflorescence simple or compound ; racemes fragile, usually paired , occasionally digitate or single, terminal on the culm or axillary and gathered into a spathate compound panicle; spikelets of a pair dissimilar; raceme bases not deflexed , without homogamous spikelets (present in A. munroi) ; rachis internodes filiform to linear or clavate , sometimes inflated , ciliate on margins . Sessile spikelet usually dorsally compressed ; callus short, obtuse , shortly bearded , inserted into internode apex; lower glume membranous to leathery, 2-keeled, lanceolate, flat to concave with lateral keels , these sometimes narrowly winged , with or without intercarinal veins, or linear with dorsal keels and a deep veinless median groove ; upper glume awned or awnless; lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma; upper lemma hyaline, 2-lobed, awned from sinus ; awn geniculate , column glabrous or puberulous . Stamens 1-3. Pedicelled spikelet variable, large to much reduced, male or barren. x = 10.

About 100 species: tropical and warm-temperate regions of both hemispheres, especially Africa and America; two species in China.[2]

Physical Description

Landscaping

Care: Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system . For a neat appearance , remove old foliage before new leaves emerge . Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring .

Habitat

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 5,305 meters (0 to 17,405 feet).[3]

Biology

Reproduction

Duration: Perennial

Growth

Culture: Space 24-36" apart.

Soil: Minimum pH: 6.1 • Maximum pH: 7.5

Sunlight: Sun Exposure: Full sun

Moisture: Water Requirements: Water regularly, when top 3 in. of soil is dry.

Temperature: Heat Zones: High: 12 (>210 days) Low:9 (>120 to 150 days) (map) • Cold Hardiness: High:7 (0 to 10 F) Low:3 (-40 to -30 F) (map)

Taxonomy

Unambiguous Synonyms

1. Andropogon chrysocomus Nash
2. Andropogon furcatus Muhl. Ex Willd.
3. Andropogon gerardii var. chrysocomus (Nash) Fern.
4. Andropogon provincialis Lam.

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name . Latest taxonomic scrutiny: 15-Mar-2000

Place of publication : Summa pl. 6:16. 1792

Name verified on 11-Jul-1997 by ARS Systematic Botanists. Last updated: 11-Jul-1997

Similar Species

Members of the genus Andropogon

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 899 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in this genus. Here are just 100 of them:

A. abyssinicus · A. acicularis · A. aciculatum · A. aciculatus · A. aculeatus · A. acuminatus · A. acutiusculus · A. adscendens · A. adustus · A. aequatoriensis · A. aesthenos · A. aethiopicus · A. afer · A. affinis · A. africanus · A. afzelianum · A. agrostoide · A. agrostoides · A. albescens · A. albidus · A. alectoridia · A. allioni · A. allionii · A. alopecuroides · A. alopecurus · A. alternans · A. altissimus · A. altus · A. amathystinus · A. amaurus · A. ambiguus · A. amboinicus · A. amethystinus · A. amplectens · A. amplexifolius · A. ampliflorus · A. anatherus · A. andongensis · A. androphilus · A. angustatus · A. angustifolium · A. angustifolius · A. anias · A. annulatus · A. annulatus var. humilis · A. annuus · A. anomalus · A. anthephoroides · A. anthisterioides · A. anthistirioides · A. appendiculatus · A. apricus · A. apricus var. indicus · A. arctatus (Pinewoods Bluestem) · A. arcuatus · A. arenarius · A. argenteo-pilosus · A. argenteus · A. argutus · A. argyraeus · A. argyreus · A. ariani · A. aridus · A. aristatus · A. aristidoides · A. aristulatus · A. armatus · A. armillaris · A. arnottianus · A. aromaticus · A. arrectus · A. arrhenobasis · A. arriani · A. arthropogon · A. arundinaceus · A. arvenceus · A. ascinodis · A. asper · A. assimilis · A. asthenos · A. astictus · A. attenuatus · A. aucheri · A. auctus · A. aureo-fulvus · A. aureum · A. aureus · A. auriculatus · A. australis · A. australis subsp. leiocladus · A. avenaceum · A. avenaceus · A. axilis · A. bagirmicus · A. baileyi · A. bakeri · A. barbatum · A. barbatus · A. barbinode · A. barbinodis

More Info

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Further Reading

• A synthesis of evolutionary theory. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall, 1962. ENG url p. 251, p. 281.
• CIBA-GEIGY, Basel, Switzerland. Documenta CIBA-GEIGY (Grass weeds 1. 1980, 2. 1981; Monocot weeds 3. 1982; Dicot weeds 1. 1988) (Weed CIBA)
• Cronquist, A. et al. 1972–. Intermountain flora. (Intermt F)
• Davidse, G. et al., eds. 1994. Flora mesoamericana. (F Mesoamer)
• Englert, J. M. et al. 1999–. USDA-NRCS Improved conservation plant materials released by NRCS and cooperators. (NRCS Cons Pl Mat)
• Entomological news. [Philadelphia]American Entomological Society, 1925- ENG url p. 134, p. 139, p. 320.
• FNA Editorial Committee. 1993–. Flora of North America. (F NAmer)
• Gould, F. W. 1975. The grasses of Texas. (Grass Tex)
• Great Basin naturalist memoirs. [Provo, Utah]Brigham Young University, 1976-1992. ENG url p. 280, p. 310, p. 311, p. 322, p. 697.
• Hitchcock, A. S. 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States, ed. 2. (Grass US)
• Judd, Campbell, Kellog & Donoghue: Plant Systematics, a phylogenetic approach
• Judd, W.S., Campbell, C.S., Kellog, E.A. & Donoghue, M.J. (2002): Plant Systematics: a phylogenetic approach, Sinauer, Sunderland, Mass.
• Markle, G. M. et al., eds. 1998. Food and feed crops of the United States, ed. 2. (Food Feed Crops US)
• McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. (F GPlains)
• McVaugh, R. 1983–. Flora Novo-Galiciana. (F NGalicia)
• Mejía-Saulés, M. T. & P. Dávila A. 1992. Gramíneas Útiles de México. Cuad. Inst. Biol. 16. (Grass Util Mex)
• National Herbarium of New South Wales. 1961–1984. Flora of New South Wales. (F NSW)
• National list of scientific plant names. [Washington, D.C.]: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1982- ENG url p. 24.
• Occasional papers of the Museum of Natural History, the University of Kansas. Lawrence, Kansas: The University, 1971-1994. ENG url p. 36.
• Our living resources: a report to the nation on the distribution, abundance, and health of U.S. plants, animals, and ecosystems / [edited by], Edward T. LaRoe [et al.]. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Biological Service, 1995. ENG url p. 484.
• Scoggan, H. J. 1978–1979. The flora of Canada, 4 vol. (F Canada)
• Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora europaea. (F Eur)
• Welsh, S. L. et al. 1993. A Utah flora. (F Utah ed2)
• Chen Shouliang, Jin Yuexing, Zhuang Tide, Fang Wenzhe, Sheng Guoying, Liu Liang, Wu Zhenlan, Lu Shenglian, Sun Bisin, Hu Zhihao, Wang Song, Sun Xiangzhong, Wang Huiqin, Yang Xilin, Wang Chaopin, Li Binggui & Wen Shaobin. 1990. Gramineae (Poaceae) (4). In: Chen Shouliang, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 10(1):1401
• Chen Shouliang, Zhuang Tide, Fang Wenzhe, Sheng Guoying, Jin Yuexing, Liu Liang, Sun Bisin, Hu Zhihao & Wang Song. 1997. Gramineae (Poaceae) (5). In: Chen Shouliang, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 10(2): 1301
• Liu Liang, Zhu Taiping, Chen Wenli, Wu Zhenlan & Lu Shenglian. Gramineae (Poaceae) (2). In: Liu Liang, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 9(2): 1405
• Lu Sheng-lian, Sun Yong-hua, Liu Shang-wu, Yang Yong-chang, Wu Zhen-lan, Kuo Pen-chao, Yang Hsi-ling, Wang Chao-pin & Tsui Nai-ran. 1987. Gramineae (3). In: Kuo Pen-chao, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 9(3): 1329
• Wang Zhengping, Ye Guanghan, Yang Yaling, Yu Zehua, Hu Chenhua, Geng Bojie, Feng Xuelin, Jia Liangzhi, Xia Nianhe, Li Dezhu, Zhang Weiping, Xue Jiru, Zhu Zhengde, Zhao Qiseng, Chen Shouliang, Sheng Guoying, Chen Shaoyun, Yao Changyu, Lu Jionglin, Sun Jiliang, Lin Wantao, Yi Tongpei, Zhao Huiru, Wen Taihui & Dai Qihui. 1996. Gramineae (Poaceae) (1).

Notes

Contributors

• Bisby, F.A., Y.R. Roskov, M.A. Ruggiero, T.M. Orrell, L.E. Paglinawan, P.W. Brewer, N. Bailly, J. van Hertum, eds (2007). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2007 Annual Checklist. Species 2000: Reading, U.K.
• Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-2006. Systema Naturae 2000. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Accessed October 4, 2006.
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed January 18, 2007. http://www.gbif.org Mediated distribution data from provider.
• USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL (April 25, 2008)

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 11, 2007:

• Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden
• School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium
• USDA PLANTS, USDA PLANTS Database
• University of Alabama Biodiversity and Systematics, Herbarium

Identifiers

• Biodiversity Heritage Library NamebankID: 2660770
• Catalogue of Life Accepted Name Code: ITS-40462
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility Taxonkey: 13730655
• Globally Unique Identifier: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:994583-1
• GRIN Nomen Number: 3215
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 40462
• International Plant Names Index (IPNI) ID: 387920-1
• Natural Heritage Network Species Identifier: PMPOA0C090
• U.S.D.A. Plant Symbol: ANPR3
• Zipcode Zoo Species Identifier: 21075

Footnotes

1. Shou-liang Chen, De-Zhu Li, Guanghua Zhu, Zhenlan Wu, Sheng-lian Lu, Liang Liu, Zheng-ping Wang, Bi-xing Sun, Zheng-de Zhu, Nianhe Xia, Liang-zhi Jia, Zhenhua Guo, Wenli Chen, Xiang Chen, Yang Guangyao, Sylvia M. Phillips, Chris Stapleton, Robert J. Soreng, Susan G. Aiken, Nikolai N. Tzvelev, Paul M. Peterson, Stephen A. Renvoize, Marina V. Olonova & Klaus Ammann "Poaceae". in Flora of China Vol. 22. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
2. Shou-liang Chen & Sylvia M. Phillips "Andropogon". in Flora of China Vol. 22 Page 572, 621, 623, 624, 627. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
3. Mean = 374.210 meters (1,227.723 feet), Standard Deviation = 445.210 based on 1,365 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]

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