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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

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, 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)

Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Disturbed Areas, Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Forage, Nectar, Nesting Material, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Browsers, Butterflies

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. Not common in plant nurseries, but seeds are available commercially. Native habitat: dry fields, thin woods, upper shores of ponds.

Description

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
Bud 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 Scarification To boost germination, you can scarify the seeds (lightly nick the seed coat) before sowing them. 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. It’s also important to note that broomsedge seeds can take up to a year to germinate! Acclimation is typically accomplished through placement of seedlings outdoors in a protected location for a 1-2 week period prior to transplanting. Collect mature seed heads from the plant and allow them to dry completely. Gently crush the seed heads to release the seeds. 1) https://plantiary.com/plant/andropogon-virginicus_4265.html 2) https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=poaceae-andropogon-4014#:~:text=Establishment%20Phase:,after%20placement%20in%20the%20greenhouse.&text=Active%20Growth%20Phase:,fertilizer%20bi%2Dweekly%20until%20hardening.&text=Hardening%20Phase:,week%20period%20prior%20to%20transplanting.&text=References:,%2C%20NC%2027401%2D4901%20USA.&text=Citation:,%2C%20Nurseries%2C%20and%20Genetic%20Resources. 3) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-andropogon-virginicus/#google_vignette
Root Cutting Simply cut a few healthy roots from the mother plant and plant them horizontally in a well-prepared bed of moist soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the cuttings develop a new shoot, which usually takes about 6-8 weeks. This method is best done in late summer. 1) https://plantiary.cm/plant/andropogon-virginicus_4265.html 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-andropogon-virginicus/#google_vignette

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason