What's that?

As you check out the scenery along the roadside, you see a field of rusty reds and golds. Grasses dominate the view in fall. What are you likely to see?

Today: Little bluestem (prairie beard grass, broom beard grass, broom)

Bloom time: Late summer

Where it thrives: The most widely distributed native grass in North America, it will grow in a variety of soils, but it is well-adapted to well- drained, medium to dry infertile soils. It is a perennial warm-season bunch grass, common on dry and loess prairies.

Native: Yes.

Appearance: It grows to be 2 to 4 feet tall and has coarse stems and basal leaves. The leaves are smooth but frequently are covered with hair at the base. It has a rusty appearance with white fluffy seed heads.

Trivia: Sometimes mistaken for broom sedge, it may be used in ornamental arrangements. It provides food and habitat for birds and mammals. After it matures, animals won't eat it. That's why it is sometimes burned to encourage palatable new growth. It's also a host to skipper butterflies.

— Rhonda Stansberry

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