Plant · GBIF taxon 5289861
sideoats grama
Bouteloua curtipendulaAlso known as Side-Oats Grama, Mesquite Grass, Bandera Grass
Sideoats grama forms dense clumps of narrow foliage topped by distinctive zig-zag stalks where oat-like seed spikes dangle along just one side. This warm-season grass blooms in summer with tiny purple and red anthers that sway gracefully in prairie breezes. Its deep fibrous root system makes it exceptionally drought-tolerant and vital for stabilizing prairie soils across North and South America.
Prairie GrassPerennialDrought Tolerant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Minerals
Predators
- American Bison
- Cattle
- Grasshoppers
ThreatsAgricultural conversion, overgrazing, invasive weed competition
HabitatsPrairies, rocky slopes, savannas, open woodlands
Life spanPerennial (10 to 20+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPoaceae
- SpeciesBouteloua curtipendula
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for seed heads lining only one side of the slender stem, hanging downward like tiny oats.
- Landscaping: Plant in well-drained soil and full sun to form a drought-tolerant native ornamental meadow.
- Prairie Restoration: Observe how its deep roots help prevent soil erosion on dry, rocky slopes.
Prairie Companion (c) Colin Meurk, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Colin Meurk · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick · cc-by
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