Variation in Pinehill Bluestem, a Southern Ecotype of the Andropogon scoparius Complex

Abstract

Pinehill bluestem is the most common variant of the little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) complex in pine forests of north and central Louisiana and east Texas. It is also frequent in adjacent portions of Oklahoma and Arkansas. It differs from other inland forms of little bluestem primarily in its unreduced pedicellate spikelets, which are equal in size to the sessile spikelets. Because of vegetative similarity between pinehill bluestem and associated forms of A. scoparius, separation of varieties for purposes of forage management is not recommended.