Texas Wildbuds
Bouteloua gracilis
(Blue Grama)
Bouteloua gracilis, Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park 3421
Bouteloua gracilis, Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park 3427
Bouteloua gracilis, Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park 3432
| Scientific Name | Bouteloua gracilis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | BOGR2 |
| Common Name | Blue Grama | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 41493 |
| Family | Poaceae (Grass) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Rocky or clay soils in grasslands, low scrub and forest openings; 4,000-8,000 ft.; common rangeland grass in the Southwest. Plant: Perennial grass, densely clumped and tufted with short rhizomes; culms (stems) 10 to 24 inches tall, erect, geniculate (bent upwards) at base, or decumbent and rooting at the lower nodes, not branched. Foliage: Leaves mainly basal, blades 3/4 to 4-3/4 inches long, less than 1/10-inch wide with hairs usually present at bases; sheaths are smooth or sparsely hairy. Inflorescence: Panicles with 1 to 3 (or more) branches, 1/2 to 2 inches long, curved, often curling back with age: each branch with 40-130 spikelets which go all the way to the end of the branch in a comb-like arrangement; each spikelet with 2 florets; glumes are smooth or rough; lower glume usually purplish at maturity. Bloom Period: July to October. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, SEINet and Plants of the Texas Rangelands. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025
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