Andropogon tracyi

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Common name: Tracy's bluestem

Andropogon tracyi
Andropogon tracyi NCRS.jpg
Photo by the Atlas of Florida Plants Database
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Liliopsida - Moncots
Order: Cyperales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Andropogon
Species: A. tracyi
Binomial name
Andropogon tracyi
Nash
ANDR TRAC DIST.JPG
Natural range of Andropogon tracyi from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Taxonomic Notes

Synonyms: none.[1]

Varieties: none.[1]

Description

A. tracyi is a graminoid perennial that is a member of the Poaceae family [2]. Like other species in the genus, A. tracyi produces chasmogamous flowers with racemes in sets of two, and the peduncles, spikelets, and anthers are considered long in comparison to other Andropogon.[3]

Distribution

Andropogon tracyi is endemic to the longleaf pine range from southeastern Virgnia to central Florida and west to southeast Texas.[4]

Ecology

Habitat

The Andropogon genus is widespread throughout the North American continent, but A. tracyi is a more rare species found in upland pine communities [5]. It can be found in habitats ranging from disturbed sites like dry loamy sand along roads, and banks along highways, to natural habitats such as scrub oak barrens, dry ridges, high sandy ridges, and other sandy loams. [6]

Phenology

A. tracyi has been seen to be flowering during the month of November, and fruiting during the same time period. [6]


Herbivory and toxicology

A. tracyi is used by quail species in the community for nesting, providing protection for the young from predators.[7]


Conservation, cultivation, and restoration

Cultural use

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-atlantic states. Working Draft of 21 May 2015. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
  2. USDA Plants Database URL: https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ANTR
  3. Campbell, C. S. (1983). "Systematics of the Andropogon virginicus complex (Gramineae)." Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 64(2): 171-254.
  4. Sorrie, B. A. and A. S. Weakley 2001. Coastal Plain valcular plant endemics: Phytogeographic patterns. Castanea 66: 50-82.
  5. Gould, F. W. (1967). "The Grass Genus Andropogon in the United States." Brittonia 19(1): 70-76.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, R. K. Godfrey, R. Kral, H. Grelen, Sidney McDaniel, and Bob Farley. States and counties: Florida: Walton, Putnam, Calhoun, Columbia, Wakulla, and Jackson.
  7. Harshbarger, T. J. and R. C. Simpson (1970). Late-summer nesting sites of quail in south Georgia, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.