Andropogon cretaceus Weakley & Schori. Purple Bluestem, Chalky Bluestem. Phen: Aug-Nov. Hab: Wet pine savannas, pine flatwoods, maritime forests, ditches, wet disturbed sites. Dist: Se. VA south to c. peninsular FL and west to e. TX (Singhurst, Sorrie, & Holmes 2012).

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: Although sometimes included in the past in either A. glomeratus or A. virginicus, this species is distinctive and easily recognized in the field (even from a car at 60 m.p.h.) by the combination of blue color, height of well over 1 m (taller than the other glaucous bluestems), and semi-bushy inflorescence. See Weakley et al. (2018a) for explanation of the need for a new name for this species, A. glaucopsis being preoccupied.

Synonymy: = FlGr, K4, Sorrie (2020b) in Weakley et al (2020), Weakley & Schori (2018) in Weakley et al (2018a); = Anatherum species 4; = Andropogon glaucopsis Elliott ex Beal – GW1, K1, K3, S13, Va, Weakley et al (2011), misapplied; = Andropogon glomeratus (Walter) Britton, Sterns, & Poggenb. var. glaucopsis (Elliott ex Beal) Hitchc. – FNA25, WH3, Campbell (1983); = Andropogon virginicus L. var. glaucopsis (Elliott) Hitchc. – F, HC; = n/a – C; < Andropogon glomeratus (Walter) Britton, Sterns, & Poggenb. – ETx1, S; < Andropogon virginicus L. – RAB; >< Andropogon virginicus L. var. glaucus Hack. – Ar, misapplied

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW (name change)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW (name change)

Heliophily: 9