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:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, green
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- 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, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal crown after fire; fire can reduce thatch and promote seedling establishment.
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:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; surface sow and keep moist.
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.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Bamert Seed (seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)