Schizachyrium niveum

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Schizachyrium niveum
Schizachyrium niveum (white sand form) - Lake Placid, FL - Sep 2025 (crop).png
White sand growth form
Status TNC G1.svg
Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Schizachyrium
Species:
S. niveum
Binomial name
Schizachyrium niveum

Schizachyrium niveum, commonly referred to as pinescrub bluestem, is a rare species of grass endemic to peninsular Florida. [1]

Contents

Habitat

It only occurs in sunny openings in the sandy, fire-dependent habitats of scrub and scrubby sandhill. It is primarily found on the Lake Wales Ridge, especially in Polk and Highlands counties, [1] but may also be found in Hillsborough, Hernando, Orange, Osceola, and Indian River counties. [2]

Conservation

It is known from likely less than 55 sites, many of which seem to have low populations. It faces threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to development for real estate and agriculture. Additional threats include fire suppression, so prescribed fire or mulching are necessary parts of managing for the recovery of this species. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Schizachyrium niveum". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Schizachyrium niveum". Florida PlantAtlas. Retrieved 16 August 2025.