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"Growing Online"tm
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Plant Guide
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Summary |
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Duration |
Perennial |
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Growth Habit |
Graminoid |
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U.S. Nativity |
Native to U.S. |
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Federal T/E Status |
|
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National Wetland Indicator |
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Morphology/Physiology |
|
|
Active Growth Period |
Summer and Fall |
|
After Harvest Regrowth Rate |
Moderate |
|
Bloat |
None |
|
C:N Ratio |
Medium |
|
Coppice Potential |
No |
|
Fall Conspicuous |
No |
|
Fire Resistant |
No |
|
Flower Color |
Yellow |
|
Flower Conspicuous |
No |
|
Foliage Color |
Green |
|
Foliage Porosity Summer |
Porous |
|
Foliage Porosity Winter |
Porous |
|
Foliage Texture |
Fine |
|
Fruit/Seed Color |
Brown |
|
Fruit/Seed Conspicuous |
No |
|
Growth Form |
Stoloniferous |
|
Growth Rate |
Moderate |
|
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (feet) |
|
|
Height, Mature (feet) |
2 |
|
Known Allelopath |
No |
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Leaf Retention |
No |
|
Lifespan |
Moderate |
|
Low Growing Grass |
No |
|
Nitrogen Fixation |
|
|
Resprout Ability |
No |
|
Shape and Orientation |
Decumbent |
|
Toxicity |
None |
|
|
|
|
Growth Requirements |
|
|
Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils |
Yes |
|
Adapted to Fine Textured Soils |
No |
|
Adapted to Medium Textured Soils |
Yes |
|
Anaerobic Tolerance |
None |
|
CaCO3 Tolerance |
Medium |
|
Cold Stratification Required |
No |
|
Drought Tolerance |
High |
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Fertility Requirement |
Medium |
|
Fire Tolerance |
High |
|
Frost Free Days, Minimum |
155 |
|
Hedge Tolerance |
None |
|
Moisture Use |
Low |
|
pH, Minimum |
7 |
|
pH, Maximum |
8.7 |
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Planting Density per Acre, Minimum |
|
|
Planting Density per Acre, Maximum |
|
|
Precipitation, Minimum |
7 |
|
Precipitation, Maximum |
19 |
|
Root Depth, Minimum (inches) |
12 |
|
Salinity Tolerance |
Low |
|
Shade Tolerance |
Intolerant |
|
Temperature, Minimum (°F) |
-23 |
|
|
|
|
Reproduction |
|
|
Bloom Period |
Mid Spring |
|
Commercial Availability |
Routinely Available |
|
Fruit/Seed Abundance |
High |
|
Fruit/Seed Period Begin |
Summer |
|
Fruit/Seed Period End |
Fall |
|
Fruit/Seed Persistence |
No |
|
Propagated by Bare Root |
No |
|
Propagated by Bulb |
No |
|
Propagated by Container |
No |
|
Propagated by Corm |
No |
|
Propagated by Cuttings |
No |
|
Propagated by Seed |
Yes |
|
Propagated by Sod |
No |
|
Propagated by Sprigs |
No |
|
Propagated by Tubers |
No |
|
Seed per Pound |
1335000 |
|
Seed Spread Rate |
Slow |
|
Seedling Vigor |
Medium |
|
Small Grain |
No |
|
Vegetative Spread Rate |
Moderate |
|
|
|
|
Suitability/Use |
|
|
Berry/Nut/Seed Product |
No |
|
Christmas Tree Product |
No |
|
Fodder Product |
Yes |
|
Fuelwood Product |
None |
|
Lumber Product |
No |
|
Naval Store Product |
No |
|
Nursery Stock Product |
No |
|
Palatable Browse Animal |
High |
|
Palatable Graze Animal |
High |
|
Palatable Human |
No |
|
Post Product |
No |
|
Protein Potential |
Medium |
|
Pulpwood Product |
No |
|
Veneer Product |
No |
|
|
|
|
Summary |
|
|
Duration |
Perennial |
|
Growth Habit |
Graminoid |
|
U.S. Nativity |
Native to U.S. |
|
Federal T/E Status |
|
|
National Wetland Indicator |
|
|
|
|
|
Morphology/Physiology |
|
|
Active Growth Period |
Spring and Fall |
|
After Harvest Regrowth Rate |
Moderate |
|
Bloat |
None |
|
C:N Ratio |
Medium |
|
Coppice Potential |
No |
|
Fall Conspicuous |
No |
|
Fire Resistant |
No |
|
Flower Color |
Yellow |
|
Flower Conspicuous |
No |
|
Foliage Color |
Green |
|
Foliage Porosity Summer |
Porous |
|
Foliage Porosity Winter |
Porous |
|
Foliage Texture |
Fine |
|
Fruit/Seed Color |
Brown |
|
Fruit/Seed Conspicuous |
No |
|
Growth Form |
Stoloniferous |
|
Growth Rate |
Moderate |
|
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (feet) |
|
|
Height, Mature (feet) |
2 |
|
Known Allelopath |
No |
|
Leaf Retention |
No |
|
Lifespan |
Moderate |
|
Low Growing Grass |
No |
|
Nitrogen Fixation |
|
|
Resprout Ability |
No |
|
Shape and Orientation |
Decumbent |
|
Toxicity |
None |
|
|
|
|
Growth Requirements |
|
|
Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils |
Yes |
|
Adapted to Fine Textured Soils |
No |
|
Adapted to Medium Textured Soils |
Yes |
|
Anaerobic Tolerance |
None |
|
CaCO3 Tolerance |
Medium |
|
Cold Stratification Required |
No |
|
Drought Tolerance |
High |
|
Fertility Requirement |
Medium |
|
Fire Tolerance |
High |
|
Frost Free Days, Minimum |
160 |
|
Hedge Tolerance |
None |
|
Moisture Use |
Medium |
|
pH, Minimum |
7 |
|
pH, Maximum |
8.3 |
|
Planting Density per Acre, Minimum |
|
|
Planting Density per Acre, Maximum |
|
|
Precipitation, Minimum |
7 |
|
Precipitation, Maximum |
18 |
|
Root Depth, Minimum (inches) |
12 |
|
Salinity Tolerance |
Low |
|
Shade Tolerance |
Intolerant |
|
Temperature, Minimum (°F) |
-23 |
|
|
|
|
Reproduction |
|
|
Bloom Period |
Mid Spring |
|
Commercial Availability |
Routinely Available |
|
Fruit/Seed Abundance |
High |
|
Fruit/Seed Period Begin |
Summer |
|
Fruit/Seed Period End |
Fall |
|
Fruit/Seed Persistence |
No |
|
Propagated by Bare Root |
No |
|
Propagated by Bulb |
No |
|
Propagated by Container |
No |
|
Propagated by Corm |
No |
|
Propagated by Cuttings |
No |
|
Propagated by Seed |
Yes |
|
Propagated by Sod |
No |
|
Propagated by Sprigs |
No |
|
Propagated by Tubers |
No |
|
Seed per Pound |
1335000 |
|
Seed Spread Rate |
Slow |
|
Seedling Vigor |
High |
|
Small Grain |
No |
|
Vegetative Spread Rate |
Rapid |
|
|
|
|
Suitability/Use |
|
|
Berry/Nut/Seed Product |
No |
|
Christmas Tree Product |
No |
|
Fodder Product |
Yes |
|
Fuelwood Product |
None |
|
Lumber Product |
No |
|
Naval Store Product |
No |
|
Nursery Stock Product |
No |
|
Palatable Browse Animal |
High |
|
Palatable Graze Animal |
High |
|
Palatable Human |
No |
|
Post Product |
No |
|
Protein Potential |
Medium |
|
Pulpwood Product |
No |
|
Veneer Product |
No |
|
|
|
|
Summary |
|
|
Duration |
Perennial |
|
Growth Habit |
Graminoid |
|
U.S. Nativity |
Native to U.S. |
|
Federal T/E Status |
|
|
National Wetland Indicator |
|
|
|
|
|
Morphology/Physiology |
|
|
Active Growth Period |
Summer and Fall |
|
After Harvest Regrowth Rate |
Moderate |
|
Bloat |
None |
|
C:N Ratio |
Medium |
|
Coppice Potential |
No |
|
Fall Conspicuous |
No |
|
Fire Resistant |
No |
|
Flower Color |
Yellow |
|
Flower Conspicuous |
No |
|
Foliage Color |
Green |
|
Foliage Porosity Summer |
Moderate |
|
Foliage Porosity Winter |
Porous |
|
Foliage Texture |
Fine |
|
Fruit/Seed Color |
Brown |
|
Fruit/Seed Conspicuous |
No |
|
Growth Form |
Stoloniferous |
|
Growth Rate |
Moderate |
|
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (feet) |
|
|
Height, Mature (feet) |
2 |
|
Known Allelopath |
No |
|
Leaf Retention |
No |
|
Lifespan |
Moderate |
|
Low Growing Grass |
No |
|
Nitrogen Fixation |
|
|
Resprout Ability |
No |
|
Shape and Orientation |
Decumbent |
|
Toxicity |
None |
|
|
|
|
Growth Requirements |
|
|
Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils |
Yes |
|
Adapted to Fine Textured Soils |
No |
|
Adapted to Medium Textured Soils |
Yes |
|
Anaerobic Tolerance |
None |
|
CaCO3 Tolerance |
Medium |
|
Cold Stratification Required |
No |
|
Drought Tolerance |
High |
|
Fertility Requirement |
Medium |
|
Fire Tolerance |
High |
|
Frost Free Days, Minimum |
155 |
|
Hedge Tolerance |
None |
|
Moisture Use |
Medium |
|
pH, Minimum |
7 |
|
pH, Maximum |
8.3 |
|
Planting Density per Acre, Minimum |
|
|
Planting Density per Acre, Maximum |
|
|
Precipitation, Minimum |
7 |
|
Precipitation, Maximum |
18 |
|
Root Depth, Minimum (inches) |
12 |
|
Salinity Tolerance |
Low |
|
Shade Tolerance |
Intolerant |
|
Temperature, Minimum (°F) |
-23 |
|
|
|
|
Reproduction |
|
|
Bloom Period |
Mid Summer |
|
Commercial Availability |
Routinely Available |
|
Fruit/Seed Abundance |
High |
|
Fruit/Seed Period Begin |
Summer |
|
Fruit/Seed Period End |
Fall |
|
Fruit/Seed Persistence |
No |
|
Propagated by Bare Root |
No |
|
Propagated by Bulb |
No |
|
Propagated by Container |
No |
|
Propagated by Corm |
No |
|
Propagated by Cuttings |
No |
|
Propagated by Seed |
Yes |
|
Propagated by Sod |
No |
|
Propagated by Sprigs |
No |
|
Propagated by Tubers |
No |
|
Seed per Pound |
1335000 |
|
Seed Spread Rate |
Slow |
|
Seedling Vigor |
Medium |
|
Small Grain |
No |
|
Vegetative Spread Rate |
Rapid |
|
|
|
|
Suitability/Use |
|
|
Berry/Nut/Seed Product |
No |
|
Christmas Tree Product |
No |
|
Fodder Product |
Yes |
|
Fuelwood Product |
None |
|
Lumber Product |
No |
|
Naval Store Product |
No |
|
Nursery Stock Product |
No |
|
Palatable Browse Animal |
High |
|
Palatable Graze Animal |
High |
|
Palatable Human |
No |
|
Post Product |
No |
|
Protein Potential |
Medium |
|
Pulpwood Product |
No |
|
Veneer Product |
No |
|
Kingdom Plantae -- Plants |
|
Subkingdom Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants |
|
Superdivision Spermatophyta -- Seed plants |
|
Division Magnoliophyta -- Flowering plants |
|
Class Liliopsida -- Monocotyledons |
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Subclass Commelinidae |
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Order Cyperales |
|
Family Poaceae -- Grass family |
|
Genus Bouteloua Lag. -- grama P |
|
Species Bouteloua eriopoda (Torr.) Torr. -- black grama P |
Black grama is a choice forage grass grazed by all livestock. It is cut for hay on some ranges in wet seasons.
Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.
Grass Family (Poaceae). Black grama is a native, warm‑season, stoloniferous perennial grass. The height is between 10 and 20 inches. The leaf blade is narrow and rolls inward during dry periods, giving it a threadlike appearance. The leaf sheath is short and clasps the stem tightly. The ligule is a ring of short hairs. The stem is solid, the lower half of the internodes woolly, and the upper half smooth. The seedhead is 3 to 8 spikes per seedhead and 18 to 20 spikelets per spike.
Distribution: For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.
Overgrazing easily kills this grass. To improve black grama ranges, defer grazing two successive years during the growing season and do not graze more than 50 percent of current growth by weight during dormancy. To maintain ranges, defer grazing for one growing season every third year.
During mild winters and with adequate moisture, lower stems stay green all winter. New leaves grow from buds at nodes on stolons and from auxillary buds at basal nodes. The seeding habits are not dependable. In some years, when a good seed crop is produced, seed viability is low. It reproduces primarily from stolons. A healthy plant generally produces 6 to 9 stolons. Two favorable successive growing seasons are required for reproduction by stolons: First year, to produce stolons; second year, for stolons to take root and establish new plants. It generally grows in pure stands. It grows mostly on dry gravelly or sandy soils and seldom grows on clay loams or adobe (clay) flats. Black grama is characteristically a lower altitude grass (3,500 to 5,500 feet elevation), but occasionally grows at elevations of 7,000 feet.
Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.
Reference
Leithead, H.L., L.L. Yarlett, & T.N. Shiflett. 1976. 100 native forage grasses in 11 southern states. USDA SCS Agriculture Handbook No. 389, Washington, DC.
Percy Magee, USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Edited: 13may02 ahv; jul03 ahv; 20sep05 jsp; 070116 jsp
https://plants.usda.govhttps://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov
Attribution: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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