Cane bluestem (Bothriochloa barbinodis, Revista Sudamer. Bot. 6: 135 (1940))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Lag.) Herter

Bibliography: Revista Sudamer. Bot. 6: 135 (1940)

Year: 1940

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Bothriochloa

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: WC. & S. U.S.A. to N. Argentina

Description

Cane bluestem, scientifically referred to as Bothriochloa barbinodis, is an intriguing species within the Poaceae family. Noted in the literature by (Lag.) Herter in the 1940 edition of Revista Sudamer. Bot. 6: 135, this perennial grass showcases a remarkable adaptability across a diverse range of environments.

Found predominantly in the western and southern regions of the United States, as well as stretching down to northern Argentina, Cane bluestem is well recognized for its extensive geographical distribution. This adaptability reflects the plant’s resilience and ability to thrive under various climatic conditions.

The grass displays distinctive morphological characteristics, including its tall, cane-like stems that reach upwards, providing both landscape aesthetics and ecological benefits. These structures support a dense array of bluish-green foliage, a feature that lends the plant its common name. As a member of the Poaceae family, Cane bluestem contributes significantly to local ecosystems, offering habitats and food sources to wildlife while stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion.

Beyond its ecological contributions, Cane bluestem holds potential value in rangeland management and restoration projects. Its robust nature and ability to establish in different environments make it an asset in efforts to maintain sustainable landscapes and support biodiversity.

In conclusion, Bothriochloa barbinodis, or Cane bluestem, is a notable and resilient grass species native to a wide geographic range from the western and southern United States to northern Argentina. Its distinctive appearance and ecological benefits underscore its importance within the Poaceae family, highlighting its role in maintaining and supporting diverse ecosystems.

Common Names

Fra: barbon andropogon, coiron
Eng: cane bluestem
En: Cane bluestem, Cane Beard Grass, Cane beardgrass, Sweet Dichanthium
Fr: Barbon Andropogon, Coiron
It: Barboncino zuccherino
Es: Caspi paja, Sara sara

Synonyms

• Andropogon perforatus (Trin. ex E.Fourn.)
• Holcus saccharoides var. barbinodis ((Lag.) Hack.)
• Sorghum saccharoides var. leucopogon ((Nees) Kuntze)
• Andropogon palmeri ((Hack.) Gould)
• Sorghum schlumbergeri ((E.Fourn.) Kuntze)
• Andropogon barbinodis (Lag.)
• Holcus saccharoides var. perforatus ((Trin. ex E.Fourn.) Hack.)
• Bothriochloa schlumbergeri ((E.Fourn.) Henrard)
• Andropogon barbinodis var. perforatus ((Trin. ex E.Fourn.) Gould)
• Bothriochloa emersa ((E.Fourn.) Henrard)
• Amphilophis emersa ((E.Fourn.) Nash)
• Amphilophis barbinodis ((Lag.) Nash)
• Andropogon ischaemum var. barbinodis ((Lag.) Desv.)
• Bothriochloa leucopogon ((Nees) Pilg.)
• Andropogon schlumbergeri (E.Fourn.)
• Andropogon schlumbergeri var. andreae (Hack.)
• Amphilophis leucopogon ((Nees) Nash)
• Amphilophis palmeri ((Hack.) Nash)
• Andropogon leucopogon (Nees)
• Bothriochloa palmeri ((Hack.) Pilg.)
• Bothriochloa perforata ((Trin. ex E.Fourn.) Herter)
• Andropogon saccharoides subvar. palmeri (Hack.)
• Eulalia mexicana (Steud.)
• Bothriochloa barbinodis var. palmeri ((Hack.) De Wet)
• Andropogon emersus (E.Fourn.)
• Andropogon saccharoides var. perforatus ((Trin. ex E.Fourn.) L.H.Dewey)
• Amphilophis schlumbergeri ((E.Fourn.) Nash)
• Andropogon saccharoides var. barbinodis ((Lag.) Hack.)
• Amphilophis perforata ((Trin. ex E.Fourn.) Nash)
• Andropogon saccharoides subvar. perforatus ((Trin. ex E.Fourn.) Hack.)
• Bothriochloa barbinodis var. perforata ((Trin. ex E.Fourn.) Gould)
• Bothriochloa barbinodis var. schlumbergeri ((E.Fourn.) De Wet)
• Andropogon saccharoides subsp. leucopogon ((Nees) Hack.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• California (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Texas (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Utah (native)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Marie Therese GOUPIL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by EOL − Daniel Palmer (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 14, 2017 by Bernard CURE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2021 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2019 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2019 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Franz JULLIEN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 6, 2021 by Régis Hocdé (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 16, 2021 by sylv174 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2019 by akadiel akadiel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2022 by Antoine 🌱 AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 10, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 10, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Laurent Richin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2021 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

© 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/2704120)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:35184-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bothriochloa barbinodis (Lag.) Herter)

Specifications

Growth