Species › Plants › Broomsedge

Broomsedge

Andropogon virginicus

CommonPlant
Illustration of Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus)

Broomsedge is a native warm-season bunchgrass that turns a distinctive bronze-copper color in fall, painting old fields and disturbed areas across the eastern United States. It is a pioneer on poor, acidic soils and provides important ground-level cover for bobwhite quail, field sparrows, and other grassland birds. The fluffy seed plumes persist through winter.

Habitat
Old fields, disturbed areas, and dry uplands in eastern North America
Diet
Dense tussocks provide nesting and winter cover for quail and sparrows
How common
Common

Best time to see a Broomsedge

The best time to see a Broomsedge is September–February, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,247 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Broomsedge? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Broomsedge sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Broomsedge?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More plants

Buffalo Clover
Buffalo Clover
Trifolium reflexum
Buffalo Grass
Buffalo Grass
Bouteloua dactyloides
Bulblet Fern
Bulblet Fern
Cystopteris bulbifera
Bull Thistle
Bull Thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Bullhead Lily
Bullhead Lily
Nuphar variegata
Bunchberry
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Bur Oak
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Bushy Pinweed
Bushy Pinweed
Lechea stricta