Description

Bouteloua curtipendula, or Side-oats Grama, is a rarity among native grasses in that it sports tiny attractive flowers during its summer bloom time (see detailed photos). Bracts hang uniformly from one side of the stem while brilliant red-purple anthers dangle below and delicate white stigmas protrude above. When the seed heads dry, they have a distinctly oat-like appearance.

Side-oats is a warm-season grass that grows actively during the summer months when soil temperatures are warm. Its current range is throughout North America and south to Argentina, and it is cited as a food source or larval host for at least five types of skipper moths.   Bouteloua curtipendula’s rhizomatous clumping tendency and moderate height make it a good companion for spring-blooming wildflowers like Shooting Stars or Prairie Smoke.

This perennial prairie grass is, on average, 24 inches tall and grows well on mountainous plateaus, rocky slopes, and sandy plains.  Side-oats Grama is drought and cold-tolerant and is hardy in zones 4-9.  It is considered a good foraging grass for livestock and is also good for erosion control.

Sideoats Grama is the state grass of Texas.