Bouteloua curtipendula (Sideoats grama) Unity Grown

Bouteloua curtipendula, commonly known as sideoats grama, is a medium-height, native grass that draws its common name, sideoats grama, from its unique oat-like seeds that hang along only one side of the flowering spikes.This grass flowers in late summer, first producing airy purple and green, nondescript flowers, which eventually turn to the plant's 'sideoats.' During the fall, foliage turns to shades of tan and gold with purple or red highlights near the base; hanging seeds persist through the fall, and provide a food source for birds, as well as nesting material with dried dead foliage.

Bouteloua curtipendula is a very hardy grass, and will tolerate cold, heat, and drought once established, and will grow in a wide variety of soil conditions, provided it's given full sun. Sideoats grama serves as a larval host plant for several species of Skipper butterflies and moths.