Bouteloua radicosa
Inflorescence at left, with a single floret at right
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Bouteloua
Species:
B. radicosa
Binomial name
Bouteloua radicosa
(Fourn.) Griffiths

Bouteloua radicosa, colloquially known as purple grama, is a grass species in the grama genus native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.[1]

Description

Purple grama is a perennial grass that grows to 80 cm (31 in) tall, with a dense rhizomatous base. It bears inflorescences in panicles that are 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) long and usually have seven to twelve branches. Branches are to 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) long and bear eight to eleven spikelets. Each spikelet bears two florets. The lower floret has a three awned lemma.[2][3][1]

B. radicosa may hybridize with Bouteloua repens and Bouteloua williamsii, which could contribute to its apparent diversity.[4]

Distribution

Purple grama is found between 3,500–7,000 ft (1,100–2,100 m) and prefers desert grasslands or dry rocky slopes. It is present in Arizona, New Mexico, and California.[1] It was introduced to Maine, although it remains uncommon there.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gould, Frank W. (1951). Grasses of Southwestern United States. Tucson: University of Arizona. p. 146. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ "Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness-- Bouteloua radicosa". wnmu.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  3. 1 2 "SEINet Portal Network - Bouteloua radicosa". swbiodiversity.org. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  4. ↑ "Bouteloua radicosa - FNA". beta.semanticfna.org. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
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