Bluestems Andropogon

Of six assessed species, splitbeard bluestem and bushy bluestem are rated keep away, while the sources take no side on the other four. Splitbeard bluestem has a substantial body of assessment behind its rating, and bushy bluestem has a handful of assessments. NC State and the US Fish and Wildlife Service classed both as extreme in 2005; NC State Extension’s 2025 revision rates both high. The revision dropped the extreme class, so formerly extreme species reappear as high. Both grades support avoiding these species.

Bluestems are grasses in the genus Andropogon and the grass family Poaceae. Broomsedge bluestem is the most-studied member, but that alone does not establish a verdict for it. Barbas de indio also belongs to the genus. The practical conclusion remains: no assessed species has been cleared as resistant, and the species with stated verdicts are ones to keep away.