Slender grama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slender grama |
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| Inflorescence at left, with a single floret at right, showing long central awn | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Bouteloua
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| Species: |
repens
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| Synonyms | |
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B. filiformis (Fourn.) Griffiths |
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Bouteloua repens, also called slender grama, is a type of grass. It belongs to the grama family. You can find this grass growing naturally in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
What Does Slender Grama Look Like?
Slender grama is a perennial grass. This means it lives for more than two years. It looks a lot like another grass called Bouteloua chondrosioides. Its leaves can grow up to 20 cm (7.9 in) tall.
The flowers of slender grama grow in groups. These groups are called inflorescences. They appear at the very top of the grass stems, which are called culms. Each group has about four to twelve flowers. The middle part of the flower has a long, pointy tip called an awn. The protective leaves around the flower, called glumes, are smooth.
The orange or yellow parts of the flower that hold pollen are called anthers. They are about 3–5.5 mm (0.12–0.22 in) long. This grass does not grow underground stems called rhizomes. Slender grama is very tough. It can handle a lot of grazing by cattle without being harmed.
Where Does Slender Grama Grow?
Slender grama likes dry, rocky hillsides. It usually grows below 1,500 m (4,900 ft) in height. However, it can also grow in many open areas with different kinds of soil. You might find it up to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) high.
This grass is common in much of Arizona. It also grows in Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. You can find it in the Caribbean islands too. It even grows in Central America, reaching as far south as Colombia and Venezuela.
Images for kids
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A close-up view of a slender grama flower.
