SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 5893.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "5893" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

hairy grama

Scientific Name: Bouteloua hirsuta

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: AR (hairy gramma)

       

Hairy Grama (Bouteloua hirsuta)

Bouteloua hirsuta, commonly known as Hairy Grama, is a perennial short prairie grass native to much of North America.

Considerations for Pets

  • The hairy glumes have black awns.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Bouteloua hirsuta Lag.
  • Common Name: Hairy Grama
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
  • Tribe: Chlorideae
  • Synonym: Eragrostis curtipedicellata
  • USDA Symbol: BOHI2
  • Subspecies: Bouteloua hirsuta var. hirsuta

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to much of North America.
  • Common in South Texas.
  • Found in Minnesota.
  • Grows on shallow, sandy or rocky sites.
  • Common on hilltops with sandy and dry soils, such as McKnight Prairie.
  • Found in sand, sandy loam, and gravelly soils.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Warm-season, short grass, typically growing from 8-18 inches in height.
  • Grows in tufts or clumps.
  • May spread by creeping horizontal stems above or below ground (stoloniferous ecotypes).
  • Erect stems grow from a tufted base.
  • Leaves are primarily at the base of the plant.
  • Hairy glumes with black awns.
  • Leaf blades are hairy.
  • Sheaths: Glabrous or finely hairy, bearing long soft hairs near the ligule.
  • Small and delicate grass.
  • Unusually attractive seedhead.
  • Tufted bunchgrass with slender stems.

Ecological Role

  • Compatible in plantings with other native species.

Forage Value

  • Nutritious for livestock and has high forage value.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Used for American wildlife restoration, conservation, and reclamation.
  • Compatible in plantings with other native species.

Further Information

  • USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
  • Dave's Garden
  • Discover Life
  • EBSCOhost
  • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
  • ISM Herbarium