SafePlants

Hairy Grama (Bouteloua hirsuta)

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

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

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

Distribution and Habitat

• Native throughout much of North America.
• Common in South Texas, Arizona and Minnesota.
• Found on shallow, sandy or rocky sites.
• Also found on hilltops with sandy and dry soils such as McKnight Prairie.
• Grows well in sand, sandy loam, clay, and clay loam soil types.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Warm-season, short grass.
• Grows 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.
• The leaves are at the base of the plant.
• Hairy glumes have black awns.
• The leaf blades are hairy.
• Sheaths are glabrous or finely hairy, bearing long soft hairs near the ligule.

Ecological Role

• Compatible in plantings with other native species.
• Is a component of many range sites and habitats in South Texas.
• Used for American wildlife restoration, conservation, reclamation, and landscaping with wildflowers.

Forage Value

• Nutritious for livestock.

Resources and Further Information

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