Texas Invasives

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Federal Noxious Weed

TDA Noxious Weed

TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species

Invasive Plant Atlas of the US

NOTE:

means species is on that list.

Dichanthium sericeum

Silky bluestem

Synonym(s): Andropogon sericeus, Andropogon affinis,
Queensland Blue grass, slender bluegrass,
annual bluegrass, tassel bluegrass
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Graminoid/Grass

Photographer: Jose Hernandez
Source: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Description

Dichanthium sericeum is an erect perennial that grows 30 - 80 cm tall. This grass is slender and the tufts are not very large, about 10-15 cm in diameter. This grass has a fairly weak root system. The culms are densely branched at the base and the upper nodes. The stems are glabrous, and the nodes have a ring on erect white hairs. Leaves are flat, approximately 8-15 cm long, 2 - 4 cm wide. The leaves are bluish-purple, usually without hair. Some forms are hairy. Short ligules are membranous and ragged. The inflorescences have 2-4 erect racemes with paired spikelets. The upper pairs are densely hairy, giving a silky-hairy appearance to the inflorescence. The lemmas of the upper sterile florets have a brownish, twisted hydroscopic awn, 2.5 cm long. Old culms can appear as a white tuft of seed head on the tip.

Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Silky bluestem.

Ecological Threat: Seeds spreadÂ through wind disposal of fluffy seed. Seeds also carried on animal coats and in mud on hoofs. This allows silky bluestem to spread rapidly.

Biology & Spread: Dichanthium sericeumis a complex of many ecotypes. These have been grouped into four different types based on hairiness and color. These are hairy or glaucous, and blue or green. D. sericuem subspecies sericeum is more robust than subspecies humilius which are usually found in the drier regions and grows as an annual rather than a perennial. D. sericeum subspecies polystachyum generally has more than 10 racemes, all densely hairy. Silky bluestem grows best on fertile, heavy black clays of neutral to alkaline pH. Summer growing season, but also reasonable growth in the cooler conditions of spring and autumn if moisture is available.Â Moderately frost tolerant.

History: Used in Australia as a grazing crop because it is highly palatable and preferentially grazed.

U.S. Habitat: Grows best on fertile, heavy black clays of neutral to alkaline pH. Reasonable drought tolerance. Intolerant of shade. Tolerates saturated clays.

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Malesia:Â Papua New Guinea. Australia:Â New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia.

U.S. Present: FL, HI, MS, TX,

Distribution in Texas: Reported in central and south Texas.

Mapping

Invaders of Texas Map: Dichanthium sericeum
EDDMapS: Dichanthium sericeum
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Dichanthium sericeum

Invaders of Texas Observations

List All Observations of Dichanthium sericeum reported by Citizen Scientists

OBS# 19609

Native Alternatives

Management

This grass is shown to decline under heavy grazing. Other less palatable species can take over when silky bluestem is overgrazed.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Text References

Online Resources

Tropical Forages Data Sheet. http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/Dichanthium_sericeum.htm

USDA-Plants Database. http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=DISE5