Bouteloua curtipendula, commonly known as sideoats grama, is a perennial, short prairie grass that is native throughout the temperate and tropical Western Hemisphere, from Canada south to Argentina.
The species epithet comes from Latin "shortened" and "hanging".
Description
thumb|The pendulous spikes in bloom. The spike in the center has three spikelets visible, and the lowest spikelet is blooming, with orange stamens hanging below and feathery stigmas protruding horizontally.
Sideoats grama is a warm-season grass. The culms (flowering stems) are tall, and have alternate leaves that are concentrated at the bottom of the culm. The leaves are light green to blue-green in color, and up to across.<!-- on the spikes being purple --> color of the spikes themselves.
Conservation
It is currently listed as a threatened species in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is considered as an endangered species in Connecticut.
Uses
Sideoats grama is considered a good foraging grass for livestock. It is planted for erosion control.
Cultivation
It is cultivated as an ornamental plant for native plant and drought-tolerant gardens.
Culture
Sideoats grama is the state grass of Texas.