Commonly misidentified as Little Bluestem, this native is one of the dominant species in savannah prairies in the eastern United States. Like all bluestems, this plant is attractive especially when the sunlight hits its fluffy seedheads. Broomsedge has a bad reputation as an invader because of mismanagement on overgrazed lands. This characteristic is however beneficial for erosion control. Broomsedge makes cover and nesting material for Quail, is a good food source in winter, and is a larval host plant for butterflies such as the Zabulon.
photo copyright Carolyn Fannon
