Side-Oats
Grama Bouteloua curtipendula
Description:
This warm-season grass is bunchy-appearing because of the dense root
system of short rhizomes. Side-Oats Grama is actually
a sod-forming grass. When in flower during summer, the slender flower stalks,
from 30 to 90 cm tall, give the plant an overall height which classes the plant
as a mid-grass.
Leaf: The flat leaf blades have stiff hairs on the
edges. These hairs with swollen bases help identify the young plant. Lower
leaves curl and whiten when dry.
Flower: Flower clusters are in rows mostly along one
side of the upper stem, contribution to its name. Although the flower parts are
inconspicuous, in full bloom the bright reddish orange stamens protrude and are
delicately showy.
Blooming months: July-September
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Discussion:
Side-Oats Grama is a palatable and nutritious
grass.
Distribution:
Side-Oats Grama occupies all manner of upland
sites from lower slopes to chiefly the brow of the hill or the breaks near the
crest. It may occupy deep or shallow soil. This species ranges widely over the
grasslands east of the
Native
or Introduced to
Location:
N41048.677’ W089040.972’
Copyright:
© 2004 Nancy Trainor,
References:
Keller, Carolyn. Prairie Plants of
Ladd, Doug. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers, The Nature Conservancy, 1995.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Wildflowers Northeastern/North Central
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie
Plants of
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