Small reddish orange flowers dangle anthers along one side of slender stems. Narrow leaves form small clumps and turn gold in autumn. Very drought tolerant. Host for larvae of various skipper butterflies, many types of birds eat the seeds, and small mammals feed on the seed heads and foliage.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Plant Type: Grasses / Sedges / Rushes
Native Environment: Glade, Prairie
Season of Interest:
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Yellow
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Mervin Wallace

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Soil
Moisture
Dry

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Songbirds

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
24 to
36
inches
Spread:
12 to
36
inches
Size
Height: 24 to
36
inches
Spread: 12 to
36
inches
Size
Height: 24 to
36
inches
Spread: 12 to
36
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Mass in meadows, prairies, slopes, native plant gardens or naturalized areas.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in full sun and dry, well-drained soil. Commonly found in tall- and mixed grass prairies and glades. The fibrous roots are well adapted to dry conditions.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Ground Cover, Salt Tolerant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.