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Native Plant Society of Texas

Splitbeard Bluestem

Andropogon ternarius

Other common name(s):

Split Bluestem

Family:

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

1.5
to
4
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Brown

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage, Pollen, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals, Deer, Bees

Maintenance

Avoid overwatering. Don’t cut back the plant until early spring before new growth appears. The showy seed tufts provide a nice accent for gardens when planted in large groups. Dormant in winter. Propagation: clump division, seed.

Comments

Blooms August-November. A warm-season bunchgrass. Leaf and stem are purplish-reddish green. Produces showy, white seed tufts.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment, Stratification Cold stratification (a few weeks of refrigeration) is optional since Splitbeard Bluestem seeds often germinate well without it. In spring, after the last frost, sow your seeds directly into your prepared garden bed. Scatter seeds evenly over the soil surface and lightly rake them in, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact. Keep the soil consistently moist. Germination typically takes 2-4 weeks. Snip off the seed heads in the fall when the seed heads are dry and fluffy and store them in a paper bag in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to sow. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-andropogon-ternarius/
Clump Division Depending on the size of the plant, you can either divide it into smaller sections with a sharp knife or simply pull apart smaller sections with your hands. Make sure each division has at least one shoot and a portion of the root system. Trim any excessively long or damaged roots to encourage healthier growth. Place the divisions in their new locations at the same depth they were growing previously and water in thoroughly. Maintain consistent moisture (but not waterlogged conditions) for the first few weeks. In early spring or fall, use a sharp spade or garden fork to carefully lift the entire clump from the ground. 1 ) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-andropogon-ternarius/ 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Andropogon_ternarius.html

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason