Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native bunch grass that is easily identified, especially in the late summer and fall when the silvery seed is still atop the stems that have turned “blue”. Look for it at mid elevation on the dry rocky slopes above the desert floor.
Little bluestem is easily found in nurseries as well as in the wild. Its decorative look has established it in urban landscapes and grasses are fun in a personal landscape. They provide movement with the slightest of breeze, but for me more importantly native grasses supply nesting material, seed, and places to hide for native insects and birds. Whatever you do when adding grasses to your wildlife garden stay away from non-natives as they can be invasive and really offer nothing for local critters. Go native and all the native creatures will appreciate it. Believe me.
I first learned this snake as the western hog-nosed snake (Heterodon nasicus). It’s now called the Mexican hog-nosed snake (H. kennerlyi). And, this is...
I like the name sumac and I’ve known it since I was a kid in Kentucky. The most talked about sumac of my youth...
I think it’s fascinating that there are several species of winter fat found in Eurasia and Europe. That’s where the genus was first described...
