Big Bluestem Big bluestem is a species of tall grass native to much of the Great Plains and grassland regions of central and eastern North America. Big bluestem is a perennial warm-season bunchgrass. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. It is a host to larvae of several species of butterflies, including the arogos skipper, byssus skipper, cobweb skipper, common wood nymph, Delaware skipper, and dusted skipper.