Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths

Blue Grama

© DETenaglia

Family - Poaceae/Cynodonteae

Stems - No info yet.

	Node of stem.
© DETenaglia

Leaves - No info yet.

	Leaf base.
© DETenaglia

	Arrow shows the minute ligule.
© DETenaglia

Inflorescence - No info yet.

© DETenaglia

Flowers - No info yet.

© DETenaglia

Flowering - July - September.

Habitat - Upland prairies, loess hill prairies, railroads.

Origin - Native to U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Other info. - This little species is uncommon in Missouri and can only be found in three or four scattered counties. The plant is much more common in the Great Plains habitat to the west. The plant can be identified by its small size and alternating spikes of dense spikelets. The spikelets are sparsely hairy. Another species, B. hirsuta Lag., is very similar but has very hairy spikelets. In the prairies of the Great Plains, these two species can be found growing side-by-side. In Missouri, B. hirsuta is extremely uncommon and can be found in just one county.
All three species of Bouteloua in Missouri are considered some of the best native forage grasses for grazing animals.

Photographs taken at Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve, KS., 9-19-06.