To KR Bluestem Home
Spring 1979 July 2007
Two views of the same area, the agarita bush is a common point of reference. Little bluestem is within/above the red areas; otherwise KR bluestem.

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) & KR Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica)

by Bob Harms ()

Five Views of the South Creek Trail

by Bob Harms ()
[Little bluestem is redish/orangish in the photos below; KR is pale, straw colored.]

The South Creek Trail was one of the areas where we first noticed the expansion of little bluestem into a bottomland area dominated by KR. Although there have always been a few little bluestem clumps in this area (as shown for 1979), the tall KR on the trail (as shown for 2003) always required mowing — and was thus noticeable. Little bluestem had already established a strong presence on the slop above the area, and one senses that it is flowing down into the bottomland, driving a wedge between KR stands.


Fall 2003


Winter 2004


KR retreating, February 2006

At the far end of the above area rough dropseed (Sporobolus clandestinus) is extending its territory into the KR, in part thanks to the partial shade of adjacent trees. In late winter it is yellowish, in contrast with KR's grayish caste.


Rough dropseed, yellow, February 2006.