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Native Plant Society of Texas

Cane Bluestem

Bothriochloa barbinodis

Other common name(s):

Cane Beardgrass, Pinhole Bluestem, Feather 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.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, High Plains, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
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
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

2
to
4
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Dry, Gravelly, Loam, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Desert, Grassland, Savanna

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Browsers, Small Mammals

Maintenance

Can be grown as an ornamental grass in gardens. It is one of the few grasses that will thrive in barren areas. It grows in the most challenging conditions, is very drought resistant, and excellent for erosion control. Is tolerant of coastal conditions. Not common in plant nurseries but seeds are available commercially. Native habitat: prairies, plains, meadows, pastures, savannas, and gravelly slopes in desert grasslands.

Description

Blooms April-August. A tufted, warm season grass. Stems are erect or ascending with nodes swollen or brittle, Leaf blades are mostly flat, with margins folded, The inflorescence is cottony white and silvery, with 2 or more spikes or clusters at the end of each stem.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Andropogon barbinodis, Andropogon perforatus, Bothriochloa barbinodis var. palmeri, Bothriochloa barbinodis var. perforata, Bothriochloa palmeri

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Cane bluestem is typically easy to germinate with no pretreatment necessary (Gucker 2011). In lab and field settings germination rates are generally 75% or higher (Gucker 2011). Seeds germinated at 25°C (77°F) show the highest germination rates of 88-93% (Gucker 2011). Abrupt temperature changes and seeds kept at lower and higher temperatures had lower germination rates of 0-76% (Gucker 2011). Seeds are collected when they form a white fluffy fan at the top of the culms and when they readily detach from the plant. Gently collect seed tufts by hand, removing them from the culms. https://rngr.net/npn/propagation/protocols/bothriochloa-barbinodis-bothriochloa#:~:text=Propagation%20Collection:,Propagation%20Processing/Propagule%20Characteristics:
Bud Division Carefully dig around the clump, ensuring you lift the entire root system. Using a sharp spade or garden knife, divide the clump into smaller sections, each with a good amount of roots and shoots. Replant the divided sections immediately in prepared garden beds, spacing them according to the desired density and watering them in thoroughly. While drought-tolerant once established, Cane Bluestem benefits from regular watering during its first year, especially during hot, dry periods. The best time to divide Cane Bluestem is in early spring when new growth begins to emerge. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-bothriochloa-barbinodis/
Seed Stratification Cane Bluestem seeds benefit from a period of cold stratification to improve germination rates. You have two options: Direct Sowing: In the late fall, sow seeds directly into prepared garden beds after the first frost. This allows them to undergo natural cold stratification over winter. Indoor Sowing: For an early spring start, mimic natural stratification by mixing the seeds with damp vermiculite in a sealed plastic bag and storing them in the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks. Sow the chilled seeds in seed trays filled with a well-draining seed starting mix, lightly covering them with soil. Cane Bluestem thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings are established. Expect germination to occur within 2-4 weeks after sowing indoors or in the spring for direct-sown seeds. The optimal time to collect Cane Bluestem seeds is in the fall when the fluffy, silver seed heads mature. Snip the seed heads with sharp shears and store them in a paper bag in a cool, dry location until you’re ready to sow. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-bothriochloa-barbinodis/

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