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KR Bluestem

Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica

Other Common Names

King Ranch Bluestem, Yellow Bluestem, Old World Bluestem, Texas Yellow Beardgrass

Plant Category

Grass and Sedge, Perennial

Invasive Description

KR bluestem was brought to California from China in 1917 and later to Angleton, Texas in 1924. Originally it was named Texas Yellow Beardgrass. It is a perennial, warm season bunchgrass that grows in tufts with erect or spreading stems 18-48 inches tall. Maroon-colored flowers can be readily seen in the fall in plantings on highway medians. Stems turn a straw color when mature. Its roots can grow more than 9 feet deep, even through caliche.

Ecological Threat

KR Bluestem is one of the state’s most undesirable weedy grasses and is very difficult to control. It forms monocultures that crowd out native plants, reduce insect diversity and destroy habitat of quail and other grassland birds. It is able to crowd out other plants because its stems spread horizontally, especially when mowed or grazed. preventing other plants from growing. It is commonly used on roadsides and in pastures for cattle often under the name of Old-World Bluestem.

You may not want or need to replace this invasive plant, but if you do, options are listed below.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions
Additional Replacement Options: Native range grasses and forbs