This Thursday's native plant profile is on the prairie grass, Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium. Given the name for its sometimes bluish green color in summer, it turns crimson or magenta in the fall, keeping its seeds for the early part of winter before they blow away.

A great ornamental grass that grows up to 3 feet tall. Best when massed in medium to dry loam or sandy soils in full to part sun. Very drought tolerant. Larval host for Dusted, Indian, Crossline, and Ottoe Skippers, it is also deer and salt resistant.