Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
SEWilco
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Bouteloua
- Species:
- Bouteloua gracilis
- USDA Symbol:
- BOGR2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Olivia's buckmoth (Hemileuca oliviae), Garita Skipperling (Oarisma garita), Leonard's skipper (Hesperia leonardus), Mead's wood-nymph (Cercyonis meadii), 🛑Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe), Ridings' Satyr (Neominois ridingsii), simius roadside skipper (Amblyscirtes simius), Yvretta rhesus
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, grassland butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan, straw-colored
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from crown and root buds after fire. Fire removes thatch and stimulates growth. Historically maintained by periodic prairie fires with 3-10 year return intervals.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily at warm temperatures (20-30°C). Light enhances germination but not required. Fresh seed has higher viability than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Dry storage of spring germinating seeds resulted in 95% germination. No pretreatment required for high germination rates in laboratory settings.
Establishment: Germination rates vary significantly between laboratory settings and direct field sowing, with much higher rates achieved in the lab. The plant is drought and heat tolerant, and persists under grazing pressure and extreme drought conditions.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.