Hairy Grama
(Bouteloua hirsuta)
Hairy Grama (Bouteloua hirsuta)
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Ethan Rose
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Ethan Rose
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Ethan Rose | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Ethan Rose | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-07-21T11:10:31-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Bouteloua hirsuta, commonly known as Hairy Grama, is a deciduous perennial grass native to the prairies, grasslands, and desert scrub of the Central and Southwestern USA, as well as Mexico. It typically grows 10–20 inches (0.2-0.5 m) tall, thriving in a variety of habitats including mountainous plateaus, rocky slopes, and sandy plains. Hairy Grama has a clumping form with narrow leaves and produces purplish to gray inflorescences in the summer that are particularly showy when backlit by the sun.
Hairy Grama is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings. It is also used for erosion control and as a low-maintenance turf alternative in dry regions. In cultivation, it requires full sun and can tolerate low to medium water conditions, preferring soils with fast drainage. While primarily used for grazing in its native range, it is also appreciated in gardens for its ornamental seed heads and fine-textured foliage.CC BY-SA 4.0
Hairy Grama is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings. It is also used for erosion control and as a low-maintenance turf alternative in dry regions. In cultivation, it requires full sun and can tolerate low to medium water conditions, preferring soils with fast drainage. While primarily used for grazing in its native range, it is also appreciated in gardens for its ornamental seed heads and fine-textured foliage.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Width: 0.333-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Prairies, grasslands, and desert scrub in the Central and Southwestern USA, and Mexico
Other Names
Common Names: Hårigt Moskitgräs
Scientific Names: , Bouteloua hirsuta, Bouteloua hirsuta var. glandulosa, Chondrosum hirsutum, Bouteloua glandulosa, Bouteloua quiriegoensis, Bouteloua hirticulmis, Bouteloua hirsuta var. palmeri, Chondrosum drummondii, Atheropogon papillosus
GBIF Accepted Name: Bouteloua hirsuta Lag.