Broomsedge (Andropogon glomeratus, Prelim. Cat.: 67 (1888))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Walter) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.

Bibliography: Prelim. Cat.: 67 (1888)

Year: 1888

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Andropogon

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. U.S.A. to Guyana, Caribbean

Description

Broomsedge, botanically identified as Andropogon glomeratus, is a grass species that belongs to the Poaceae family. Its distribution ranges from the eastern United States, extending down to Guyana and throughout the Caribbean region.

Presented in a noteworthy bibliographic record dating back to 1888, this grass was taxonomically classified by Britton, Sterns & Poggenb., building upon the initial work by Walter. Well-adapted to various environments, Broomsedge thrives across a significant geographical stretch, indicative of its versatility and ecological importance within these diverse habitats.

Broomsedge is characterized by its tufted appearance and slender, upright stems that typically reach heights ranging from two to four feet. The leaves are narrow and elongate with a distinct, coarse texture. During the late summer and fall, it produces clusters of small, fluffy, silverish seed heads that can give the plant a broom-like appearance, hence its common name.

Ecologically, Broomsedge plays a crucial role in the regions it inhabits. It is often found in open fields, along roadsides, and in disturbed areas where it can establish itself quickly, providing ground cover and habitat for various wildlife species. Additionally, Broomsedge can be an indicator of soil health, flourishing in areas with low fertility and acidic conditions.

Its resilient nature and adaptability make Broomsedge both a valuable ecological component and a notable species for studies in plant succession and habitat restoration efforts.

Common Names

Eng: bushy beard grass, bushy bluestem, chalky bluestem, beard grass
En: Broomsedge, Bed-grass, Bushy Beard-grass, Bushy Beardgrass, Bushy bluestem, Bushy beard grass, Chalky bluestem, Beard grass
Fr: Panache
Es: Pajón

Synonyms

• Andropogon macrourus var. corymbosus (Hack.)
• Anatherum virginicum subvar. glomeratus ((Walter) Roberty)
• Andropogon macrourus var. genuinus (Hack.)
• Dimeiostemon macrourus (Raf. ex B.D.Jacks.)
• Andropogon reinoldii (León)
• Andropogon macrourus (Michx.)
• Andropogon glomeratus subsp. reinoldii ((León) Catasús)
• Andropogon virginicus var. abbreviatus ((Hack.) Fernald & Griscom)
• Andropogon macrourus var. abbreviatus (Hack.)
• Andropogon virginicus var. corymbosus ((Hack.) Fernald & Griscom)
• Andropogon densus (Desv.)
• Andropogon spathaceus (Trin.)
• Sorghum glomeratum ((Walter) Kuntze)
• Anatherum macrourum (Griseb.)
• Andropogon corymbosus ((Hack.) Nash)
• Andropogon corymbosus var. abbreviatus ((Hack.) Nash)
• Andropogon glomeratus var. abbreviatus ((Hack.) Scribn.)
• Andropogon glomeratus var. corymbosus ((Hack.) Scribn.)
• Anatherum virginicum subvar. reinoldii ((León) Roberty)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• California (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Utah (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken Feb 18, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 18, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

Taken Feb 18, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 18, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Leaf

Taken Feb 18, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2706097)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:12850-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Andropogon glomeratus (Walter) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.3

Ph minimum: 5.0