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The most common and
widespread of the tallgrasses is the big bluestem. It
dominates much of the tallgrass prairie, and also grows
in smaller amounts in the drier mid-grass prairie. Growth
begins in late April, with maximum growth during the hot
days of mid-summer. By August, flowering stems often
stand 8 feet tall. The tiny wind-pollinated flowers
appear on short, three pronged branches that look like a
turkey's foot. |