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Bouteloua hirsuta
Bouteloua hirsuta Lag.
Hairy Grama
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: BOHI2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The dense clumps of this perennial are made up of 6-30 in., erect, leafy based stems. Oat-like seeds are borne in a curved seedhead with a pointed tip.
Never found naturally in pure stands.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Red , GreenBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: The florets (flowers) of grasses are usually minute and thus inconspicuous.
Distribution
USA: AR , AZ , CO , FL , GA , IA , IL , KS , LA , MD , MN , MO , MS , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , SC , SD , TX , UT , WI , WYNative Distribution: N.e. IL to ND, e. WY & extreme s. NV, s. to LA, TX & AZ
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Open woodlands, Roadsides, Fence rows
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Shallow, sandy or rocky soils. Caliche type, Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: Never found naturally in pure stands.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: AttractiveUse Wildlife: Graze, Nesting material, Seeds-granivorous birds, Seeds-Small mammals.
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Orange giant skipper, Green Skipper.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Green Skipper (Hesperia viridis) Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Sow seeds.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0686 Collected Dec 1, 1993 in Bexar County by Mike FoxNPSOT 0291 Collected Aug. 31, 1992 in Kendall County by Kristina Coates
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Bouteloua hirsuta in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Bouteloua hirsuta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Bouteloua hirsuta
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-16Research By: NPC