Santa Rita Mountain Grama
Bouteloua eludens

Family: Poaceae

Tufted perennial grass without rhizomes or stolons, often found growing in large stands, to 2’ tall. This species is a part of a group of Bouteloua very similar in appearance being perennials with short inflorescence branches (sometimes appearing as clusters of spikelets) on both sides of the axis which are deciduous as a whole, the branches completely falling off and leaving a small nodule behind. All are distinguished from B. curtipendula by having fewer than 20 inflorescence branches on both sides of the axes. This species distinguished from the similar B. repens by having pubescence on all surfaces of the spikelets and 12-16 inflorescence branches (7-12 in repens). It is distinguished from B. chondrosoides by having panicles 6-10 cm long (3-6 cm in B. chondrosoides) and 12-16 branches (3-7 in B. chondrosoides) with 2-6 spikelets each (8-12 in chondrosoides). It differs from B. radicosa by lacking a hard, knotty, rhizomotous base.

Full to part sun, best on irrigation in low desert.

Many bee species collect the pollen of many species of grasses. All can be used for desert tortoise enclosures, though the more spreading types are better for keeping up with a tortoise appetite.

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.

Photo by Sue Carnahan, SEINET
Bouteloua eludens on iNaturalist