bluestem

[ bloo-stem ]

/ ˈbluˌstɛm /

any of several prairie grasses of the genus Andropogon, having bluish leaf sheaths, now grown in the western U.S. for forage.

Origin of bluestem

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; blue + stem¹

Nests are placed on the ground, usually in bluestem pasture, but in any case grasses.

The Breeding Birds of Kansas |Richard F. Johnston
The study area includes the zone of transition from bluestem or tall-grass prairie to the buffalo grass or short-grass prairie.

Food of the Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos Brehm, in South-central Kansas |Dwight Platt
The uppermost station was situated in bluestem pasture without benefit of shade from trees.

Fishes of Chautauqua, Cowley and Elk Counties, Kansas |Artie L. Metcalf
Evidently the tree does not become established readily on bluestem prairie.

The Forest Habitat of the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation |Henry S. Fitch

Of young trees there were most on the bluestem prairie area, less on the former pastures and least on the fallow fields.

The Forest Habitat of the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation |Henry S. Fitch