Angiosperms: Monocotyledons

Poaceae
Grass Family

• Notes: Bouteloua gracilis is similar to side-oats grama but is shorter (1’ to 1 1/2’ tall). There are tufts of hairs at the top of the leaf sheath on each side, and the blade is 3” to 10” long. The inflorescence consists of one or two one-sided, curved spikes, 3/4” to 1 1/2” long. The spikelets are purple. Flowering is from mid-June to mid-July. Fruiting begins in early July, and fruits begin dropping in mid-August. B. gracilis is frequent on dry, gravelly prairies and Loess Hills prairies.
• Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Vascular Plants of Iowa