Creeping Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium stoloniferum
Creeping Little Bluestem is the dominant Schizachyrium species throughout most of Florida. It spreads by rhizomes and forms colonies. South Florida Little Bluestem, which is also called Rhizomatous Bluestem, Schizachyrium rhizomatum, is another species found in Dade County. It too spreads by rhizomes. The two species may overlap. Rhizomes are underground, spreading roots.
Both stay below two feet tall, yet may reach three feet when in flower and form attractive, long lived colonies. They are not salt tolerant, but are very drought tolerant once established. Soil should be moist and have some organic matter. Full sun to part shade is best.
These are plants of our pinelands and when used in landscaping provide a natural look. Mix with Slash pine, Saw Palmetto, various Andropogon species, Goldenrods, Pineland Petunia, Florida Lily, Lopsided Indiangrass, Gallberry, Florida Gamagrass, Swamp Fern, Muhlygrass and other pineland species.
Keep them away from shady trees and cut off excess dead leaves which can smother the plant. There is another species called Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium. Click for more info. This is a beautiful grass found in The Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park and a few other places in Florida and other states. See above picture.
This was one of the components of the original mixed grass prairie. It has faintly bluish new growth and wine red flower stalks (Culms) that may rise up to seven feet tall. It is also a good forage grass and provides seeds for songbirds.
If you visit the above state park in September, you will see vast areas of this along with other flowering and seeding species or grasses and wildflowers.
This is one of the few places that you can get a glimpse of what much of Florida once looked like before the land was drained and planted with non native forage grasses.