(PLS) Blue Grama (Bouteloua Curtipendula) is an important, drought-resistant, short grass in the mixed prairies and throughout the Great Plains and Southwest. It can be confused with Hairy grama Grass (B.hirusta), which is distinguished by a sharp point extending beyond the florets. A somewhat similar but shorter species, buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides), is usually less that 6" (15cm) high and is typical of dry short-grass plains.

Only 12-14 in. in full flower, this is among the shortest of the native grasses. It is fine-leaved and produces blue-green seedheads which are suspended horizontally like tiny brushes from the tip of each stem. The plant turns tan when dormant. Blue grama grows in bunches in the south, and as a sod-former in the north and at high elevations. It is a perennial.

This is an Important, drought-resistant, short grass in the mixed prairies and throughout the Great Plains and Southwest. It can be confused with Hairy grama Grass (B.hirusta), which is distinguished by a sharp point extending beyond the florets. A somewhat similar but shorter species, buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides), is usually less that 6" (15cm) high and is typical of dry short-grass plains.

Edible Uses: "Seed - raw or cooked. It can be ground into a powder, mixed with water and eaten as a mush, often with corn meal. It is also used to make bread.

Medicinal Uses: "The chewed roots have been applied to cuts. A decoction of the whole plant has been used as a post-partum medicine.

Other Uses: "The grass is sometimes used in the fill of coiled basketry. The stems can be used as a comb and broom material. The blades can be bundled by a cord and the stiff end used as a hair comb whilst the other end can be used as a broom."

Herbal Uses: Unknown