Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr., sideoats grama 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 12 to 20 inches. 
Leaf blade: 4 to 8 inches long ; flat ; hair along edge. 
Leaf sheath: Rounded; overlapping; nearly as long as inter- 
nodes. 
Seedhead: 35 to 50 spikes along one side of a slender zigzag 
rachis ; 5 to 8 spikelets resembling oats suggests the name, 
sideoats. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth begins in early spring. Seedstalks appear from early 
July to September. Seed produced in fall are more viable than 
those produced in summer. Seed set is rare in midsummer. This 
grass has two growth forms: (1) Low growing (8 to 14 inches) 
rhizomatous produces few seedheads and reproduces from rhi- 
zomes; (2) tall upright (16 to 30 inches) bunch grass produces 
many seedheads and reproduces from seed. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout Great Plains from southern Canada to northern 
Mexico and east to Virginia. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows on well-drained uplands, shallow ridges, and rocky 
slopes. This grass is better adapted to calcareous and moderately 
alkaline soils than to neutral or acid soils. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Sideoats grama produces high-quality nutritious forage that is 
readily eaten by livestock. Wild turkeys eat the seed. 
This grass responds to proper grazing use and rotation- 
deferred grazing. It is often a key management species and 
responds favorably to fertilizer. Good yields of seed can be har- 
vested with a combine. This grass is widely used for seeding de- 
pleted ranges and cropland no longer cultivated. 
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