| Bouteloua curtipendula | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Bouteloua |
| Species: | B. curtipendula |
| Binomial name | |
| Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. |
|
Bouteloua curtipendula, commonly known as sideoats grama, is a perennial, short prairie grass that is native throughout the temperate and tropical Western Hemisphere, from Canada south to Argentina.
The Bouteloua curtipendula foliage is blue-green in color and the flowers are purple. The small oat-like seeds develop on the side of the stalk.
Sideoats grama is a warm-season grass, growing 30–100 cm (12-40 inches) tall, and grows well on mountainous plateaus, rocky slopes, and sandy plains. The grass is also drought- and cold-tolerant and is hardy in zones 4-9.
It is currently listed as a threatened species in the U.S. state of Michigan.
It is considered a good foraging grass for livestock. Bouteloua curtipendula is cultivated as an ornamental plant for native plant and drought tolerant gardens, and is also good for erosion control.
Sideoats grama is the state grass of Texas.
Data related to Bouteloua curtipendula at Wikispecies