Hairy Grama
Bouteloua hirsuta
Family: Poaceae
Moderately tufted perennial grass, occasionally stoloniferous reaching over 2’ tall. Flowers August-October. Warm-season grower, winter dormant or semi-dormant in mild winter areas.
An erect to slightly decumbent, loose bunchgrass distinguished by the inflorescence branches which extend beyond the spikelets (see pics). Similar in appearance to B. gracilis but in that species the center stalk of each inflorescence branch does not stick out beyond the last spikelet.
Full to part sun, best on irrigation in low desert.
Like most grasses, this species is a larval host for many lepidoptera, but especially loved by the Green Skipper (Hesperia viridis). This is one of the most important range grasses for cattle.
Many bee species collect the pollen of many species of grasses. All can be used for desert tortoise enclosures.
Grasses also play an important role in the ecology of soil, and because they are monocots, they can be planted close to other species of plants (the nature of the root systems of monocots renders them less imposing on neighboring plants). They hold soil down and help prevent erosion. Many species are pioneer plants that convert disturbed soils into hospitable places for other plants.
Bouteloua named for brothers Claudio (1774-1842) and Esteban (1776-1813) Boutelou Agraz, Spanish botanists and horticulturalists; hirsuta means covered with hair. There are 57 species of Bouteloua found only in the Americas, with most diversity centered in the southwestern United States.
Found on rocky slopes, open plains, and shaded openings in woods often on rocky soils; 4,000-6,500 ft. native throughout much of North America, including the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies region, as well as Mexico and Guatemala.
This grass can be a dominant grass along with its lookalike, B. gracilis. Photo by Cecelia Alexander, SEINET
Floral detail showing the inflorescence branch which extend beyond the spikelets, an easy way to identify this grama. Photo by Gene Sturla, SEINET