Bouteloua gracilis

Bouteloua gracilis, commonly known as blue grama, is a perennial grass species native to North America. It is most commonly found in the Great Plains region, but its range extends from northern Mexico to southern Canada.

Description

Bouteloua gracilis is a short, tufted grass typically growing 15–30 cm tall. Its leaves are blue-green, turning to a straw color in the fall. The inflorescence is a comb-like spike with 1–3 spikes per stem. Each spike contains 20–90 spikelets. The grass blooms in mid to late summer, producing seeds shortly thereafter.

Habitat and Distribution

Bouteloua gracilis is adapted to a wide range of soil types and conditions, but it is most commonly found in well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. It is a dominant species in the shortgrass prairie ecosystem, and it is also found in mixed-grass prairie, sagebrush steppe, and pinyon-juniper woodland habitats. Its range extends from northern Mexico to southern Canada, and from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.

Uses

Bouteloua gracilis is a valuable forage species for livestock and wildlife. It is also used for erosion control and as an ornamental grass in xeriscaping. Its ability to withstand drought and poor soils makes it a useful species for restoring degraded lands.

Conservation Status

Bouteloua gracilis is not currently listed as threatened or endangered. However, its habitat is being lost to agricultural conversion, urban development, and invasive species. Conservation efforts are focused on maintaining healthy populations of this species and preserving its habitat.

See Also

• Shortgrass prairie
• Grasses of the Great Plains
• Xeriscaping

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Bouteloua gracilis

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  Blue grama grass in Minnesota, 2007
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  Bouteloua gracilis in bloom
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  Bouteloua gracilis