Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.

Side Oats Grama

Herb

Biennial

Vascular

Side Oats Grama is a native perennial herb in the Grass family (Poaceae). It can be found in scattered locations across the state, primarily in areas underlain by limestone. Side Oats Grama grows in prairies, on cedar glades, on roadside banks, and in rocky woods. It is a perennial warm season grass from a rhizome. The culms are solitary or in small clumps and 15-30 inches in height. The leaves are linear, flat, entire, glabrous below and scabrous above. The leaves have several long hairs along each margin near the base. Leaves are concentrated toward the base of the culm, with a few widely spaced alternate leaves above. The leaf sheath is usually glabrous. Flowers are produced in spike-like panicles above the foliage. The panicles have 40-70 drooping branches, each with 3-7 spikelets. The branches are alternate, but appear to be all on one side. Each spikelet has 1 fertile and 1-2 sterile florets. The lower glume is longer than the upper glume, and the lemmas are 3-veined with the veins extending into short awns. The anthers are yellow or orange in color. The fruit is a grain. Side Oats Grama is available from many nurseries as seed or plants. Seed should be sown in the fall. It can be used in wildflower meadows, prairie restorations, and as an accent plant. Side Oats Grama is tolerant of drought and a wide range of soils. It is an important native grass for livestock and is larval food for several species of skipper butterflies.—A. Diamond.

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Native G5 (Global Rank)

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