SIDEOATS GRASS

Bouteloua curtipendula

Noted for the distinctive arrangement of oat-like seed spikes which hang from only one side of its flowering stems. Narrow, bluish-gray leaf blades (up to 1/4” wide) typically form a dense clump growing 1-1.5’ tall. Foliage turns golden brown in autumn, sometimes also developing interesting hues of orange and red. Inflorescences of purplish-tinged flowers appear on arching stems above the foliage in early to mid summer, typically bringing the total height of the clump to 3’ tall. Inflorescences fade to tan as the seeds mature.

FIELD NOTES:

Larval host plant for the Green Skipper & Dotted

Skipper butterflies. Bloom time is July to August.