Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses of North Dakota

Grass (Native Species)

Chris Grondahl photo: Blue grama
Chris Grondahl Blue grama
(Bouteloua gracilis)
Distribution: statewide
Habitat: most predominant on dryer sites, short grass prairies, rolling uplands, medium and fine textured soil
Description: Short, warm-season, perennial, sod-like. Each stem has 1-3 comb-like, one-sided spikes, which are bluish-purple when young and straw-colored when mature.
Height: 4-18 inches
Plant uses and other interesting facts: Blue grama is nutritious and palatable to livestock and wildlife.

Previous Grass -- Sideoats grama
Return to Grasses
Next Grass -- Junegrass