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Slender Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium tenerum Nees

Broad-scale Impacts of Plant Response to Fire

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More info for the terms: herbaceous, litter, shrubs

With biennial burning slender bluestem on longleaf pine/bluestem sites
in central Louisiana was dominant in the herbaceous layer; woody plants
had reduced growth. On an unburned control unit a dense overstory of
shrubs and trees with resulting heavy litter restricted slender bluestem
growth to scattered canopy openings [6].

Productivity of slender bluestem often increases with burn treatment.
South-central Mississippi longleaf pine savanna pasture which included
slender bluestem was burned every January or February from 1924 to 1933.
A similar pasture was not burned. Half of each pasture was grazed from
approximately April 5 to November 8 each year. Percent total herbage
values of slender bluestem for the first and last years reported were:

unburned grazed burned grazed
ungrazed unburned ungrazed burned

1924 39 35 39 25
1933 12 17 43 21

A plot that had been protected from fire and grazing for 8 years was
burned with a very hot fire in October. Slender bluestem was almost
completely killed. A similar plot was burned in January when fire
temperature was less. Some bunches of slender bluestem were killed,
but most survived [36].

In south-central Mississippi longleaf pine savanna, slender bluestem
produced 1,206 pounds per acre per year green plant weight on land which
had not been burned or grazed for 8 years; on a similar plot burned
annually during winter or early spring but not grazed slender bluestem
produced 6,957 pounds per acre [14]. Plots in longleaf pine-slash
pine/bluestem range in southwestern Louisiana were burned annually,
biennially, or triennially in March or May, or were unburned. Cattle
were excluded from the plots. After 8 years of treatment slender
bluestem herbage, measured in October, was highest on plots burned
annually in May and lowest on unburned plots. Slender bluestem percent
of total herbage yield was as follows [16]:

Fire Treatment Slender Bluestem
Percent

Control 9
March Annual 39
March Biennial 22
March Triennial 11
May Annual 47
May Biennial 31
May Triennial 33
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Common Names

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slender bluestem
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Description

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More info for the terms: caryopsis, fruit, spikelet, warm-season

Slender bluestem is a native, warm-season, perennial bunchgrass [26].
Culms are slender, sometimes reclining, and 24 to 39 inches (60-100 cm)
long [21,26], the upper half sparingly branched [21]. Leaves are wiry
and 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 cm) long [26]. The inflorescence is a single
slender raceme [21,26]. Spikelets are paired. The lemma of the sessile
fertile spikelet is awned. The fruit is a caryopsis [21].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Distribution

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Slender bluestem occurs along the Coastal Plain from North Carolina
across the Florida panhandle to east Texas. It occurs in the Piedmont
from North Carolina to Georgia. It also extends north from Texas to
southeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas [21,26].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Ecology

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More info for the terms: culm, fire regime, litter

Slender bluestem has basal culm buds [21] which sprout after aerial
portions are burned [19]. If thick tufts form they may protect the
basal buds from fire damage. Slender bluestem benefits when fire
removes accumulated litter and mulch.

FIRE REGIMES :
Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this
species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under
"Find FIRE REGIMES".
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Management Considerations

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More info for the terms: forest, hardwood, headfire, litter, shrubs, tree, wildfire

The longleaf pine-bluestem savanna of the southeastern United States
Coastal Plain, where slender bluegrass is a dominant, is a fire
subclimax community which requires fire at relatively frequent intervals
to be maintained. When fire is excluded, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda),
slash pine, hardwood trees, and shrubs invade; slender bluestem is
shaded out [24].

In the absence of fire in dense stands of longleaf pine on the
southeastern Coastal Plain, slender bluestem is eliminated by pine
needle litter [20,36].

Burning increases slender bluestem nutrient content and palatability.
Increases do not last more than a few months after spring burning.
However, this is usually the time when livestock and wildlife need extra
protein and minerals [24].

Rotational winter burning at 3-year intervals in longleaf pine/bluestem
range, combined with periodic tree thinning (to maintain 12 to 20 sq
m/ha longleaf pine basal area), can maintain productive forage
(including slender bluestem) and provide concurrent production of wood
fiber [37].

Three major studies on the effect of fire on slender bluestem forage
have been done in south-central Louisiana:

A 6-year test of rotation burning to increase forage value during summer
and fall and to improve distribution of grazing by cattle was conducted
in south-central Louisiana. Slender bluestem and pinehill bluestem were
the principal grasses. A system of rotational burning was recommended
for longleaf pine/bluestem range for both cutover and timbered lands.
One-third of each area was burned in winter or early spring each year.
Low-intensity early March backfires were used in subunits with
regenerated pines to minimize damage to trees. Free-running early May
headfires were used on cutover land to destroy herbage after
palatability of normal spring growth started to decline. Wildfire
hazard in the forest was reduced, range vegetation and grazing
distribution were improved, litter was removed, undesired scrub
hardwoods were top-killed, and unpalatable perennials were curtailed.
Both types of sites were grazed by cattle. The heavy grazing of slender
bluestem during the growing season following fire, when cattle
concentrated on freshly burned range, improved forage palatability and
nutritive content by retarding maturation. Cattle began concentrating
on newly burned range within 1 to 4 weeks of burning [9]. The ensuing 2
years of lighter use restored slender bluestem vigor [9,19]. Dry cows
and cows with calves gained weight throughout the growing season on
rotation-burned ranges; forage values on unburned ranges during summer
and fall were too low to sustain body weight [9,23].

In south-central Louisiana longleaf pine-bluestem range was subjected to
alternate burning rotations from 1967 to 1970. Dominant grasses were
slender bluestem and pinehill bluestem. One range was treated with a
single fire in late winter or early spring each year. The other range
was burned a third at a time during each year, one fire in winter (March
1), one in spring (May 1), and one in summer (July 1). Cattle grazed
the burned area of the annual winter-only fire almost continuously,
which maintained a supply of new palatable and nutritious growth as well
as if later burning had been done. A single winter fire, being simpler
and less expensive than spring and summer fires, is recommended for
forage management on forested or clearcut native range in longleaf
pine-bluegrass range [18].

Longleaf pine-bluestem range in south-central Louisiana was subjected to
burning or mowing and raking treatments. Dominant groundcover was
slender bluestem and pinehill bluestem. In 1962, four plots were burned
by headfire; four others were mowed to near ground level and residue was
raked and removed. The treatments were reapplied in 1963. Fire did not
stimulate early growth or increase nutrient content of slender bluestem
more than did mowing and raking. Removal of litter by either treatment
appeared to be the major cause of improvement in the status of slender
bluestem [17].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

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More info for the term: hemicryptophyte

Hemicryptophyte
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat characteristics

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More info for the terms: forest, peat

Slender bluestem occurs on prairies and in dry pine woods [21], second
growth pinelands, pine-hardwood sites, and sandhills [5].

Slender bluestem in south-central Louisiana occurs on deep,
medium-textured silty loam [8] and also on predominantly sandy loam on
an upland site at elevations of 130 to 295 feet (40-90 m) [6]. It
occurs on the West Gulf Coastal Plain in Louisiana on upland ridges of
well-drained to excessively drained sandy soil with frequent water
deficits and nutrient limitations; it occurs on hillside seepage bogs
with loamy sand, sandy loam, sandy peat, or shallow mucky peat soil with
poor nutrient availability; and it occurs on wetland longleaf pine
savanna of the outer Coastal Plain Terraces on imperfectly drained sand
based, somewhat calcareous soils [4]. It also occurs in pitcher plant
bogs in west-central Louisiana on fine, slow-draining loam with pH
4.5 to 5.1 at elevations of 197 to 276 feet (60-84 m) [2,29].

In Pearl River County in south-central Mississippi slender bluestem
occurs on fine sandy loam and loamy sand at elevations of 230 to 285
feet (70-87 m) [14,27,36].

Slender bluestem on the lower Coastal Plain in south-central Georgia
occurs in flatwood second-growth longleaf pine-slash pine (Pinus
elliottii) forest on coastal terrace made up of marine sand 8 to 10 feet
(2.4-3.0 m) thick. Soil is low-fertility, loamy fine sand and sand to a
depth of 40 inches (100 cm). Elevation is 290 feet (88 m) [19].

Slender bluestem in extreme northwestern Florida occurs on acidic,
nutient-poor quartz sands which are low in minerals and clay nutrients.
Organic content of soils is generally low. There is a high degree of
leaching, and extreme fluctuations of the water table occur [1].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Cover Types

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This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

70 Longleaf pine
71 Longleaf pine - scrub oak
83 Longleaf pine - slash pine
85 Slash pine - hardwood
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Ecosystem

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This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

FRES12 Longleaf - slash pine
FRES13 Loblolly - shortleaf pine
FRES14 Oak - pine
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Plant Associations

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This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the term: forest

K111 Oak - hickory - pine forest
K112 Southern mixed forest
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Immediate Effect of Fire

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Slender bluestem culms and leaves are killed by fire [19].
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Importance to Livestock and Wildlife

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Cattle graze slender bluestem when it is young and tender. As
seedstalks form, palatability declines rapidly [26].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Key Plant Community Associations

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More info for the terms: tree, xeric

Slender bluestem and pinehill bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium var.
divergens) are the dominent bluestems in the longleaf pine (Pinus
palustris)/bluestem range type in Louisiana and to the west [20].
Slender bluestem associates are listed for this range type in
south-central Louisiana include southern bayberry (Myrica cerifera),
shining sumac (Rhus copallina), American beautyberry (Callicarpa
americana), blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), and broomsedge bluestem
(Andropogon virginicus) [6,7,8,9,15,18,37]. Associates in the
Washington Parish of eastern Louisiana include panicus (Panicum
aciculare), dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa), stiff sunflower
(Helianthus radula), and Elliott bluestem (Andropogon elliottii) [32].

Associates for the West Gulf Coastal Plain in Louisiana in typic upland
longleaf pine savanna and xeric longleaf pine savanna/sandhill woodlands
barrens include St. John's-wort (Hypericum hypericoides), flameleaf
sumac (Rhus copallina), southern bayberry, American beautyberry, tree
sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum), dicanthelium (Dicanthelium
oligosanthes), paintbrush bluestem (Andropogon ternarius), aristolochia
(Aristolochia reticulata), pinkscale gayfeather (Liatris elegans),
pityopsis (Pityopsis graminifolia), and rhynchosia (Rhynchosia spp.).
In the same region associates of slender bluestem are listed for
hillside seepage bogs and seepage slopes. These include xyris (Xyris
ambigua), eriocaulon (Eriocaulon decangulare), sweetbay (Magnolia
virginiana), gayfeather (Liatris pycnostachya), aletris (Aletris aurea),
evergreen bayberry (Myrica heterophylla), sundew (Drosera capillaris),
and pitcher-plant (Sarracenia alata). Associates in wetland longleaf
pine savanna include gayfeather (Liatris acidota), centella (Centella
asiatica), marshallia (Marshallia tenuifolia), bushmint (Hyptis alata),
arrowweed (Pluchea rosea), milkwort (Polygala ramosa), and rhexia
(Rhexia mariana) [4].

Associates are listed for pitcher-plant bogs in west-central Louisiana
and include sphagnum (Sphagnum spp.), beakrush (Rhynchospora rariflora),
tickseed (Coreopsis gladiata), dichanthelium (Dichanthelium spp.), large
gallberry (Ilex coriacea), and threeawn (Aristida spp.) [2].

Associates of slender bluestem for pine (Pinus spp.)/ wiregrass
(Aristida stricta) range on the lower Coastal Plain of southern Georgia
include Curtiss dropseed (sporobolus curtissii), wiregrass,
toothachegrass (Ctenium aromaticum), wireleaf dropseed (Sporobolus
teretifolius), creeping bluestem (Schizachyrium stoloniferum), bushy
bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus), and lopside Indiangrass (Sorghastrum
secundum) [27,28].

Associates of slender bluestem for dry prairies of extreme northwestern
Florida include bottlebrush three-awn (Aristida spiciformis), wiregrass,
arrowfeather (Aristida purpurascens), broomsedge bluestem, love grasses
(Eragrostis spp.), saw-palmetto (Serenoa repens), hurrahbush (Lyonia
lucida), and ground blueberry (Vaccinium myrsinites) [1].

An extensive list of species associated with slender bluestem on the
Trinity River floodplain, east Texas, is available [30].
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Life Form

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More info for the term: graminoid

Graminoid
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Management considerations

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More info for the terms: forbs, formation, litter

Close grazing and trampling tend to kill slender bluestem and encourage
the spread of carpetgrass (Axonopus spp.) and weeds. Slender bluestem
is also susceptible to smothering by litter, and in the absence of fire
decreases more on ungrazed areas than on moderately grazed pastures
[36].

Excessive grazing by cattle in central Louisiana on longleaf
pine/bluestem (principally slender bluestem and pinehill bluestem) range
converted the range under longleaf pine canopy to forbs and to
carpetgrass (Axonopus affinis) on patch cuts [37].

Moderate repeated close grazing can retard slender bluestem maturation,
which prolongs the period of palatability and prevents the formation of
the wiry, persistent flower stalks [7].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Nutritional Value

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Slender bluestem was collected in north-central Texas and analyzed. At
an early growth stage it was fair in protein content and deficient in
both phosphoric acid and lime in comparison with other range grasses of
the area. At maturity it was deficient in both protein and phosphoric
acid, but had good lime content [11].

Chemical analysis of slender bluestem dry material from burned and
unburned ungrazed plots in central Louisiana showed higher values from
burned than unburned plots for ash, crude protein, crude fat, calcium
oxide, and phosphorus pentoxide. Values were lower on burned plots for
crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract [36].

Slender bluestem taken on May 1 from unburned plots on the lower Coastal
Plain in south-central Georgia had crude protein content of 3.5 percent;
protein content from burned plots was 8.5 percent. By full leaf stage
around June 15, samples from both treatments showed 4.5 percent protein
content. Values dropped concurrently for both treatments through
November. Phosphorus content was also lower on May 1 for unburned
plots, but by June 15 it was the same for both treatments; both dropped
after August 15. Calcium content was the same for both treatments
throughout testing. Cattle made greater weight gain on burned than on
unburned plots [19].

Slender bluestem and pinehill bluestem are inadequate for the nutritional
needs of cattle during the winter [31].
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Occurrence in North America

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AL AR FL GA LA MS NC OK SC TX
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Palatability

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Slender bluestem new growth is most palatable to cattle following a
fire, which retards slender bluestem maturity and the development of
wiry unpalatable flower stalks [26]. By June slender bluestem in
central Louisiana is rank and unpalatable on unburned range. New growth
on range burned in May remains palatable [9].

In south-central Mississippi in early spring cattle readily grazed
slender bluestem, preferring it to little bluestem (Schizachyrium
scoparium) and carpetgrass (Axonopus compressus). During late summer
and fall grazing of slender bluestem was largely confined to areas where
grass had been kept short and maturity retarded [36].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Phenology

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More info for the term: seed

Slender bluestem growth starts in early spring and continues into summer
[26]. It matures early, usually by mid-June [7]. Seedheads can form by
mid-July; seed shatter occurs soon after seed maturation. In fall and
winter foliage tangles and mats. Slender bluestem tends to grow in
colonies [26].

In the Florida panhandle slender bluestem blooms from July to October [5].
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Plant Response to Fire

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More info for the terms: litter, seed

Aboveground parts of slender bluestem are killed by fire, but the
underground portions usually survive and produce new topgrowth as soon
as conditions are favorable [19].

Slender bluestem in Georgia had higher seedstalk production on recently
burned than on unburned sites. Unburned plants produced 35 seed stalks
per square foot of vegetation; burned plants produced 112 stalks. At
anthesis slender bluestem had a higher percentage of nitrogen on burned
than on unburned sites [38].

Slender bluestem is suppressed by accumulating litter in unburned areas
[36]. There is reduction in number of plants and plant vigor as slender
bluestem is forced to grow through mulch to reach light [14]. Slender
bluestem tends to increase slightly in relative abundance when burned
annually or every 2 to 3 years. It may decrease slightly if burned
sites are moderately grazed. Slender bluestem decreases under grazing
alone. Under both grazing and fire protection, slender bluestem
relative abundance decreases considerably [20,36]. However, severe fire
can almost completely remove slender bluestem [36] (see DISCUSSION AND
QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE).
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Post-fire Regeneration

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Tussock graminoid
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regeneration Processes

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Slender bluestem sprouts from perennating buds at the base of culms. It
also reproduces by seed [5,21,26].
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regional Distribution in the Western United States

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This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

14 Great Plains
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Successional Status

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More info for the term: litter

Facultative Seral Species

Slender bluestem is not as shade tolerant as many associated grasses,
particularly pinehill bluestem [26].

Slender bluestem decreases in abundance when it is covered by plant
litter, including its own accumulated growth [8].
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bibliographic citation
Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Synonyms

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Andropogon tener (Nees) Kunth [13,21,22]
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Taxonomy

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The currently accepted scientific name of slender bluestem is
Schizachyrium tenerum Nees [2,5,13,22]. It is in the family Poaceae.
There are no recognized infrataxa.
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Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Comprehensive Description

provided by North American Flora
Schizachyrium schottii (Rupr.) Nash
Andropogon Schottii Rupr.; Hack, in Mart. Fl. Bras. 2^ : 299. 1883. Andropogon Schottii asperiglumis Hack, in DC. Monog. Phan. 6 : 383. 1889. Sorgum Schottii Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 792. 1891.
Stems 4-8 dm. tall, slender, branched, the branches solitary at the nodes, simple; leafsheaths glabrous; blades 1-2 dm. long, 2-4 mm. wide, acute, glabrous, or ciliate at the very base, smooth, except the roughish margins; spathes 4-6 cm. long; spike-like racemes 5-7 cm. long, slender, the internodes equaling the sessile spikelets, ciliate on the margins, except the upper one third, otherwise glabrous, the pedicels equaling the internodes but more slender, ciliate with long hairs; sessile spikelet about 7 mm. long, pale-green, the first scale firm, linear, acuminate, glabrous, obsoletely 3-nerved in addition to the keels, the second scale acute, 1-nerved, ciliate, the third scale also ciliate, the fourth scale 2-cleft nearly to the base, the awn about 1.5 cm. long, the column included or scarcely exserted from the scales and about half as long as the subula; pedicellate spikelet about 3 mm. long, with an awn shorter than itself.
Type locality : Tocaia, Brazil.
Distribution : Chihuahua (according to Hackel) ; also in Brazil.
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bibliographic citation
George Valentine Nash. 1912. (POALES); POACEAE (pars). North American flora. vol 17(2). New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY
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North American Flora

Comprehensive Description

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Schizachyrium myosurus (J. Presl) Nees, lyinnaea 19 : 695. 1847
Andropogon Myosurus J. Presl, in Presl, Rel. Haenk. 1 : 2>Z7. 1830. Sorgum Myosurus Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 792. 1891.
Stems slender, 7-10 dm. tall, branching, the branches in 2's-4's, simple or branched; leaf-sheaths glabrous, compressed, keeled; blades linear, acute, up to 12 cm. long, 3-4 mm. wide, glabrous, smooth beneath, rough on the upper surface and on the margins; spathes 3.5-4 cm. long; spike-like racemes 4-6 cm. long, slender, the rachis straight, the internodes equaling the sessile spikelets, about 1 mm. broad at the apex, the pedicels a little shorter than the internodes; sessile spikelet 4-5 mm. long, linear-oblong, the first scale coriaceous, obsoletely 2-nerved in addition to the keels, densely clothed on the back, except the upper quarter, with white spreading hairs, the second scale equaling the first, membranous, acute, glabrous, the third and fourth also glabrous, the fourth bearing an awn 10-12 mm. long, barely exserted from the scales and eqiialing the subula; pedicellate spikelet about 2 mm. long, of 2 scales, the first scale with an awn about as long as itself.
Type locality : Mexico.
Distribution: Mexico.
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bibliographic citation
George Valentine Nash. 1912. (POALES); POACEAE (pars). North American flora. vol 17(2). New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY
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Comprehensive Description

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Schizachyrium tenerum Nees, Agrost. Bras. 336. 1829
Andropogon gracilis 'i . Presl, in Presl, Rel. Haenk. 1 : 336. 1830. Not A. gracilis Spreng. 1825.
Andropogon tener Kunth, R6v. Gram. 565. 1832.
Andropogon lepiophyllus Trin. M€m. Acad. St. Petersb. VI. 2 : 264. 1832.
Andropogon Preslii Kunth, Enum. 1 : 489. 1833.
Andropogon tener scabriglumis Hack, in DC. Monog. Phan. 6 : 379. 1889.
Sorgum tenerum Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 792. 1891.
A smooth and glabrous tufted perennial, with intravaginal innovations. Stems often weak arid decumbent, 4-10 dm. long, the branches in I's or 2's; leaf-blades 2 dm. long or less, 0.5-2 mm. wide, the lower ones often sparingly hirsute above near the base; spike-like racemes 3-6 cm. long, the rachis straight, the internodes stout, channeled on the inner surface, about two thirds as long as the sessile spikelets, glabrous, the pedicels linear, not stout, pilose on the outer margin near the summit, usually equaling or a little exceeding the internodes; sessile spikelet about 4 mm. long, the first scale somewhat rounded on the back, smooth or rough, acute, the fourth scale deeply 2-cleft at the apex for less than one half its length, the awn of the fourth scale 7-10 mm. long, the column tightly spiral, exserted, about equaling the subula; pedicellate spikelet consisting of a single scale, 4-5 mm. long, awnless or awn-pointed.
Type locality : Montevideo, Uruguay.
Distribution : Georgia and Florida to I^ouisiana ; Illinois ; Cuba ; continental tropical America.
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George Valentine Nash. 1912. (POALES); POACEAE (pars). North American flora. vol 17(2). New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY
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Physical Description

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Perennials, Terrestrial, not aquatic, Stems nodes swollen or brittle, Stems geniculate, decumbent, or lax, sometimes rooting at nodes, Stems caespitose, tufted, or clustered, Stems terete, round in cross section, or polygonal, Stem internodes solid or spongy, Stems with inflorescence less than 1 m tall, Stems, culms, or scapes exceeding basal leaves, Leaves mostly cauline, Leaves conspicuously 2-ranked, distichous, Leaves sheathing at base, Leaf sheath mostly open, or loose, Leaf sheath smooth, glabrous, Leaf sheath hairy, hispid or prickly, Leaf sheath and blade differentiated, Leaf blades linear, Leaf blades very narrow or filiform, less than 2 mm wide, Leaf blade margins folded, involute, or conduplicate, Leaf blades mostly glabrous, Leaf blades mor e or less hairy, Leaf blades scabrous, roughened, or wrinkled, Ligule present, Ligule an unfringed eciliate membrane, Inflorescence terminal, Inflorescence lateral or axillary, Inflorescence with 2 or more spikes, fascicles, glomerules, heads, or clusters per culm, Inflorescence single raceme, fascicle or spike, Peduncle or rachis scabrous or pubescent, often with long hairs, Flowers bisexual, Spikelets pedicellate, Spikelets sessile or subsessile, Spikelets laterally compressed, Inflorescence or spikelets partially hidden in leaf sheaths, subtended by spatheole, Spikelet less than 3 mm wide, Spikelets with 1 fertile floret, Spikelets with 2 florets, Spikelets paired at rachis nodes, Spikelets in paired units, 1 sessile, 1 pedicellate, Spikelets bisexual, Spikelets disarticulating below the glumes, Spikelets falling with parts of disarticulating rachis or pedicel, Spikelets conspicuously hairy , Rachilla or pedicel glabrous, Glumes present, empty bracts, Glumes 2 clearly pr esent, Glumes equal or subequal, Glumes equal to or longer than adjacent lemma, Glume equal to or longer than spikelet, Glumes keeled or winged, Lemmas thin, chartaceous, hyaline, cartilaginous, or membranous, Lemma 1 nerved, Lemma glabrous, Lemma apex dentate, 2-fid, Lemma distinctly awned, more than 2-3 mm, Lemma with 1 awn, Lemma awn less than 1 cm long, Lemma awn 1-2 cm long, Lemma awn from sinus of bifid apex, Lemma awn twisted, spirally coiled at base, like a corkscrew, Lemma awn once geniculate, bent once, Lemma margins thin, lying flat, Lemma straight, Callus or base of lemma evidently hairy, Callus hairs shorter than lemma, Stamens 3, Styles 2-fid, deeply 2-branched, Stigmas 2, Fruit - caryopsis.
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Schizachyrium tenerum

provided by wikipedia EN

Schizachyrium tenerum is a species of grass known by the common name slender little bluestem, or slender bluestem. It is native to the Americas, where it occurs in North, Central, and South America.[1] In North America it can be found in the southeastern United States[2] and much of Mexico.[3]

This plant produces bunches of erect or leaning stems up to a meter long. The wiry leaves are up to 15 or 20 centimeters in length. The inflorescence is a raceme of paired spikelets. The fertile spikelet has an awn up to a centimeter long; the sterile spikelet lacks an awn.[1][2]

In the United States this grass grows in pine forests and on the coastal plain. It and the pinehill bluestem (S. scoparium var. divergens) may codominate habitat in the understory of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). It grows in pine savanna, seeps, pitcher plant bogs, dry prairies, sandhills, and floodplains.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Schizachyrium tenerum. Grass Manual Treatment.
  2. ^ a b c Walsh, Roberta A. 1994. Schizachyrium tenerum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
  3. ^ "Schizachyrium tenerum". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 23 January 2018.

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Schizachyrium tenerum: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Schizachyrium tenerum is a species of grass known by the common name slender little bluestem, or slender bluestem. It is native to the Americas, where it occurs in North, Central, and South America. In North America it can be found in the southeastern United States and much of Mexico.

This plant produces bunches of erect or leaning stems up to a meter long. The wiry leaves are up to 15 or 20 centimeters in length. The inflorescence is a raceme of paired spikelets. The fertile spikelet has an awn up to a centimeter long; the sterile spikelet lacks an awn.

In the United States this grass grows in pine forests and on the coastal plain. It and the pinehill bluestem (S. scoparium var. divergens) may codominate habitat in the understory of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). It grows in pine savanna, seeps, pitcher plant bogs, dry prairies, sandhills, and floodplains.

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