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Calamagrostis canadensis (Bluejoint)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv.

Bluejoint

Poaceae (Grass Family)

USDA Symbol: caca4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This perennial, clump-forming grass grows to a height of 3-5 ft. Many slender stems arise from small rhizomes; each topped by a large, slightly nodding, branched inflorescence. The inflorescence is purplish when in flower, becoming tan later in the season. Blue-joint grass stands up well in winter.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DE , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: AB , BC , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Transcontinental Canada, s. to NC mts., KS, NM & CA
Native Habitat: Marshes; wet prairies & open woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist to wet soils.
Conditions Comments: This species is the most frequent grass associate of sedges and is a valuable wetlands restoration species.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or rhizome division.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Seed requrie cold-moist stratification for 5 days before incubation with KNO3 and light.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Calamagrostis canadensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Calamagrostis canadensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calamagrostis canadensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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