BREEDERS, GROWERS, DISTRIBUTORS 1 
BIG BLUESTEM Andropogon furcatus 
A native perennial bunch grass valuable for spring, summer and early fall pasture. Like 
corn and sorghum, it prefers rich, fertile, well-drained soil within the 30-40 inch rain 
belt. The deep penetrating root system adds organic matter to the subsoil and prevents 
erosion. Responds well to cultivation. The plants spread by short rootstocks to form 
luxuriant, dense, leafy growth 1-2 ft. high. Stems many, tall (3-6 ft.) not woody but 
brittle at maturity, terminated by forked seed stems 2-3 inches long. Taller and ranker 
growing than Little Bluestem, with wider leaves and higher moisture content. 
BLACK GRAMA Bouteloua eriopoda 
Black Grama is a perennial grass distributed more or less generally through southern 
New Mexico, Arizona, and western Texas. Grows in bunches and spreads by tillers and 
stolons which adapts it for use in control of soil erosion. 
Thrives on sandy to sandy loam soils but not adapted to heavy soils. Palatability is good 
and stands up well under dry conditions. Used for grazing and soil erosion control. 
BLUE GRAMA Bouteloua gracilis 
The most valuable perennial grazing grass on the western range. Furnishes grazing in 
the spring and fall and early winter. Cattle fatten on it with very little additional feed. 
It controls water and wind erosion. Best adapted on the brown, fertile soils of west Texas 
and the higher altitudes in the Southwest and Mexico. Plants with numerous narrow leaf 
blades, seed stems slender, upright, 1-2 feet above the turf. On flat land under grazing 
forms dense solid turf; but a more bunchy habit of growth on hill land. Identified by 
the seed spikes, which have the appearance of small brushes attached banner-like to the 
uppermost part of the stems. 

Blue Panicum: a perennial for the Southwest 
