Florida Fall #3

Fall color in Florida? Look carefully …

Bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus var. pumis) is a sure sign of late summer or fall in Florida. This common & fast-growing bunchgrass grows along roadsides, and edges, and disturbed areas throughout Florida. Broom sedge (a misnomer because it’s not a sedge) is a common name given to this plant by settlers who used this plant’s inflorescence as a broom.

Early on the florescence is lightish & whitish …

… as fall progresses the inflorescence takes one rusty hue …

Often, bushy bluestem grows to be knee or hip height. But, sometimes, it can be more than 6′ tall …

Its tiny seeds are quite viable …

…, so you’ll often find lots of it, as shown here along CR 510 west of Highway A1A …

Enjoy seeing it as you travel about Indian River County.