Broomsedge

Broomsedge, also known as beard grass, is not a true sedge but is a member of the grass family, Poaceae. Historically, housewives used the long, brush-like grasses to make brooms, which accounts for the common name. The scientific name of the genus Andropogon comes from two Latin words which mean 'beard of a man' and refers to the fuzzy growth that appears on the plant in the fall. These fuzzy hairs aid in the wind dispersal of seeds.

The young plants are sometimes used as grazing forage for cattle or cut and used as hay. As the plants mature, they become too woody for the cattle to digest well. Bobwhite quail and small rodents eat the grass and seeds and many wildlife species use the plants for shelter or nesting sites.

In the fall, the leaves turn a conspicuous reddish-orange color that may be seen in open fields or along roadsides and forests edges.

Broomsedge is widely distributed throughout much of the eastern United States, from as far north as Maine and south into Florida. Its range extends westward to Texas and Illinois.

Broomsedge

Identifying Characteristics
Size/Form:	Broomsedge is a perennial bunch grass that grows as a hardy clump. It dies back every fall then regrows from the same root mass the following spring. The stiff, erect stems reach 3' to 4' in height.
Leaves:	The leaves are long, linear, and laterally compressed with a flat leaf base. They are bluish-green in color and have rough margins. Leaves are slightly hairy, especially near the leaf sheath, which is appressed and overlapping along the stem.
Flowers:	As with most grasses, the flowers form on small, branched structures along the upper half of the stems.
Fruit:	The fruit is a tiny, yellow or purplish grain or seed. The seeds are covered with hairy bristles that aid in long distance dispersal by wind.
Habitat:	Broomsedge grows well on open ground, along roadsides, or forest edges and along salt marshes. It is often found in disturbed sites and is an early volunteer in new forest plantations.