Sideoats Grama


 

Sideoats Grama

 

 

ADULT PLANT
 

                                                                             http://www.sara-tx.org/public_resources/field_guide/detail.php?id=1591

Latin name - Bouteloua Curtipendula

                                       Other names~  Prairie Grama, Mosquito Grass, Tall Grama Grass

                       Plant Family~ Grama Grasses (Poaceae)           

Bloom period~ June-Nov.            

         Characteristics~ Reaches 15-30 inches tall or occasionally taller which in the prairie is a medium sized plant. The Sideoats Grama's stem is reddish brown or a straw color. Sideoats Grama straight and stiff, from 20-80 small spikes are grown mostly along side of each central seed stalk.

         Threats~ Harsh fires, long droughts, shade.  

         Facts~ There is 159,200 seeds per pound. Sideoats Grama is the state grass of Texas. Sideoats Grama is quick to establish. Sideoats Grama is highly palatable, highly nutritious grass, that is readily eaten by all classes of livestock. In it's bloom period. Sideoats Grama has up to eighty spikes on one leaf. Kiawa Warriors wore the seed stalk during war to resemble feathers. Sideoats Grama provides good soil and that helps to prevent erosion. Sideoats Grama easily produces many seeds during it's bloom period.  During the pioneer years the used the leaves to make brooms and hair brushes. Sideoats Grama has a very wide and short root system. This root system helps the plant to regrow after fire has crossed the plain. Two Spanish explorers found and studied the plant later the scientific named was named after them. The Sideoats Grama can survive through short droughts and rocky areas.

 

          Bibliography~ Central Region Seedling ID Guide for Native Plants, Plants.usda.gov, Grownative.org, Wildflowers.org, Wikipedia, nrs.usda.gov, eol.org, plants.usda.gov, abnativeplants.com, Illinoiswildflowers.info, missouribotanicalgarden.org, books.google.com, netstate.com, nrcs.udsa.gov, hoffmannursery.com, www3.notheren.edu, desertmuseumdigitalibrary.org, IOWA Living roadway pg.55, Bouteloua curtipendula-Plant finder, Bouteloua curtipendua-side outs grama, Bouteloua curtipendula sharp seed.com

 

                         

 

 

 

Disclaimer- The information in the prairie plant was collected by 5th graders, we apologize for any inaccuracies.

           

   
 

 

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