Introductory
SPECIES: Andropogon gerardii var. paucipilus | Sand Bluestem 



ABBREVIATION : 
ANDGERP

SYNONYMS : 
   Andropogon hallii Hack.


SCS PLANT CODE : 
   ANGEP


COMMON NAMES : 
   sand  bluestem
   turkey-foot
   sandhill bluestem


TAXONOMY : 
Currently there is considerable disagreement over the taxonomic
treatment of the grasses traditionally known as sand bluestem
(Andropogon hallii Hack.) and big bluestem (A. gerardii Vitman).
Various authorities have recognized these two bluestems either as
distinct species [16,17,27,29] or as varieties within a single species
[26,54,62].  Artificial hybridization experiments have shown that these
two bluestems are completely interfertile [44], with offspring showing
intermediate morphological characteristics [27,44].  These bluestems,
however, show clear ecological differences:  big bluestem is widely
distributed in North America on moist prairie sites, while sand bluestem
is restricted to drier, sandy soils in the Great Plains [6].  Where
their ranges overlap, they freely interbreed.  In the Nebraska
Sandhills, sand bluestem is restricted to upland sand dunes, while big
bluestem occurs only in low meadows.  Hybrids with intermediate
morphological characteristics are found in narrow zones 16 to 33 feet
(5-10 m) wide at the dune-meadow interface [6].  Because both bluestems
are morphologically similar and are able to cross-pollinate to produce
intergrades, some authorities have recently recognized these entities as
two varieties of a single species [26,53,62].  This write-up follows
their treatment; thus the fully documented scientific name of sand
bluestem is Andropogon gerardii Vitman var. paucipilus (Nash) Fern.


LIFE FORM : 
Graminoid

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : 
No special status

OTHER STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


COMPILED BY AND DATE : 
Ronald Uchytil/November 1988


LAST REVISED BY AND DATE : 
NO-ENTRY


AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : 
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1988. Andropogon gerardii var. puacipilus. In: Remainder of Citation

Related categories for Species: Andropogon gerardii var. paucipilus | Sand Bluestem