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Native Plant Society of Texas

Broomsedge

Andropogon virginicus

Other common name(s):

Broomsedge Bluestem, Yellowsedge Bluestem, Whiskey Grass, Popotillo Pajon

Family:

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

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, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, 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

2
to
6
ft.

Spread

2
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds

Maintenance

Tends to spread into disturbed lands, where it helps to control erosion. It is the primary native meadow grass in the northeast. A good species for prairie restoration. Native habitat: dry fields, thin woods, upper shores of ponds. Not common in plant nurseries, but seeds are available commercially. Propagation: seed, root division.

Comments

Blooms September-November. Clump forming.The seeds are evenly distributed along the stems and are striking in fall and winter, when the fine hairs catch the sunlight. Turns a tawny brown in fall. Larval host: Zabulon Skipper.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Anatherum virginicum var. tetrastachyum, Andropogon virginicus var. tetrastachyus, Anatherum virginicum, Anatherum virginicum, Andropogon curtisianus, Andropogon dissitiflorum, Andropogon dissitiflorus, Andropogon eriophorus, Andropogon glaucescens, Andropogon louisianae, Andropogon tetrastachyus, Andropogon vaginatus, Cinna lateralis, Dimeiostemon tetrastachys, Dimeiostemon vaginatus, Holcus virginicus, Sorghum virginicum, Andropogon virginicus ssp. genuinus, Andropogon virginicus var. genuinus, Andropogon virginicus var. vaginatus. Andropogon virginicus var. viridis, Anatherum virginicum subvar. tetrastachyum, Andropogon virginicus subvar. ditior, Andropogon virginicus f. virginicus L

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Clump division Division With a clean shovel or knife, divide the clump into smaller sections, each containing multiple stems and a healthy root system. Plant these divided sections in their new location, ensuring that the crown (where the stems meet the roots) is just below the soil level. Once planted, water the newly divided broomsedge thoroughly to help establish strong roots. The best time to divide broomsedge is in early spring, just as new growth emerges. This gives the newly divided clumps a head start and allows them to establish strong roots before the summer heat sets in. Carefully dig around the perimeter of the established clump. Once it’s loosened, gently lift the entire clump from the soil. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-andropogon-virginicus/
Seed No Treatment Gently crush the seed heads to release the seeds. Sow the seeds in a seed tray filled with well-draining soil, and cover them lightly with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place the tray in a warm, sunny location. Collect mature seed heads from the plant and allow them to dry completely. https://plantiary.com/plant/andropogon-virginicus_4265.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 four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason