Bouteloua simplex
Two inflorescences of Bouteloua simplex, along with a single spikelet at left
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Bouteloua
Species:
B. simplex
Binomial name
Bouteloua simplex
Synonyms

Chondrosum procumbens Desv. ex P. Beauv.
Chondrosum prostratum (Lag.) Sweet

Bouteloua simplex, colloquially known as matted grama or mat grama, is a grass species in the grama genus native to much of the Americas.[1][2]

Description

Matted grama is forms dense mats and is a low growing annual, reaching no higher than 15 cm (5.9 in). Individual blades often curl up; they are short and narrow. Flowering occurs from August to October. The plant bears a single curved spiked inflorescence 1–2.5 cm (0.39–0.98 in) long.[1] Each inflorescence bears 30-80 spikelets. The glumes are hairless, with lower glumes being 1.5–2.5 mm (0.059–0.098 in) long and upper glumes 3.5–5 mm (0.14–0.20 in) long. The lemma is hairy at the base, is 2.5–3.5 mm (0.098–0.138 in) long, and three awned.[3]

It is similar to Bouteloua barbata, but bears only a single spike.[1]

Distribution

Matted grama is widespread in the Americas. It is present in the southwestern and central United States, found as far north as Wyoming, as west as Arizona and Utah, and as east as Texas and Nebraska. An introduced population also exists in Maine, although it is not common there and grows only in disturbed areas. It is present in all the northern states of Mexico, including Baja. Populations exist in most of central America, excepting parts of the Yucatán Peninsula, and extending to Panama. In South America it is found in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and parts of Argentina and Chile.[2][4][3]

It prefers to grow on rocky slopes between 1,200–2,100 m (4,000–7,000 ft).[1]

Ethnobotany

Ashes of the plant had historical use in ceremony, and as a folk remedy. It was also used for livestock forage.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gould, Frank W. (1951). Grasses of Southwestern United States. Tucson: University of Arizona. p. 153. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. 1 2 "Plants Profile for Bouteloua simplex (matted grama)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  3. 1 2 3 "SEINet Portal Network - Bouteloua simplex". swbiodiversity.org. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  4. ↑ "Bouteloua simplex Lag. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
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