blue grama

plant

Also known as: Bouteloua gracilis

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a low-growing, perennial grass native to North America. It is characterized by slender, curly leaves and is considered an important forage grass, particularly in the Great Plains. Blue grama belongs to the genus Bouteloua, which includes about 50 species of annual or perennial grasses within the Poaceae family. While primarily valued for grazing, blue grama is also occasionally cultivated as an ornamental grass, appreciated for its attractive flower spikes that can be used in dried floral arrangements.12

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grassland
Biota
…a short-grass steppe dominated by Bouteloua gracilis and Buchloe dactyloides; and to the east, to a tall-grass prairie with the bluestem grasses Andropogon gerardii and A. scoparium. Trees and shrubs were generally absent, but a large variety of herbaceous plants occurred with the grasses.
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…a short-grass steppe dominated by Bouteloua gracilis and Buchloe dactyloides; and to the east, to a tall-grass prairie with the bluestem grasses Andropogon gerardii and A. scoparium. Trees and shrubs were generally absent, but a large variety of herbaceous plants occurred with the grasses.
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grama grass
Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), blue grama (B. gracilis), black grama (B. eriopoda), and hairy grama (B. hirsuta) are some of the most important North American range species. Blue grama is sometimes cultivated for its attractive flower spikes, which can be dried for floral arrangements.
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Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), blue grama (B. gracilis), black grama (B. eriopoda), and hairy grama (B. hirsuta) are some of the most important North American range species. Blue grama is sometimes cultivated for its attractive flower spikes, which can be dried for floral arrangements.
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