SafePlants

Bouteloua gracilis: Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis, commonly known as blue grama or mosquito grass, is a perennial grass prized for its drought tolerance and native beauty. It's a popular choice for low-maintenance lawns, erosion control, and attracting wildlife.

Common Names

• Blue Grama
• Mosquito Grass
• Blue Grama Grass

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Bouteloua gracilis
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is commonly used as forage for livestock.

Considerations for Children

• The seed heads mature to long-lasting blonde seed heads.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to North America, particularly the Great Plains.
• Found from Alberta, Canada, throughout the United States, including California and Utah.
• Grows in a variety of habitats, including short and tall grass prairies, open plains, mesas, foothills, and woodlands.
• Can be found at elevations ranging from 3500 to 8000 feet in Utah.

Ecological Role

• Blue grama is considered one of the most important forage plants of the short-grass prairie.
• It plays a role in erosion control and attracts wildlife.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• A warm-season, C4 perennial grass.
• Tufted or clump-forming growth habit.
• Fine-textured gray-green leaves typically grow to 6 to 12 inches tall.
• Typically grows between 12 and 20 inches tall, but some selections can reach 2.5 to 3 feet.
• Distinctive brownish-purple seed heads on top of wiry tan stalks.
• May grow in tufts or clumps or spread by creeping horizontal stems above or below ground, sometimes forming sod.

Quirky Facts

• Blue grama was designated the official state grass of Colorado in 1987.
• The scientific name Bouteloua honors Claudio Boutelou, a Spanish writer on agriculture.
• A hot bluegrass band from Fort Collins, Colorado, takes its name from this grass.

Cultivation and Uses

• Commonly planted as a turfgrass, often mixed with buffalograss.
• Suitable for wildflower meadows, rock gardens, and borders.
• Used for erosion control.
• Drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water landscapes.

Tolerance

• Demonstrates good drought tolerance.
• Shows fair salinity tolerance.
• Has moderate alkalinity tolerance.
• Thrives in both sandy and clay soils.

Further Information

• Monrovia offers details and information on their Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass.
• Native American Seed sells Blue Grama.
• BamertSeed.com sells Blue Grama seed.
• Great Basin Seed also sells Blue Grama seed.
• Lowes sells 1.5-Gallon Blue Grama.
• Amazon.com sells The Dirty Gardener Blue Grama Native Ornamental Grass.