Bouteloua curtipendula

Species category

Agricultural, Revegetation or Rangeland

Common name

sideoats grama

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

Multiple floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.

Shape

EllipticElliptic:
Outline of an ellipse; greatest width midway sloping to an equally pointed apex and base.
, single, and multiple

Size

  • Length: 3 mm
  • Width: 1 mm
  • Thickness: 0.25 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

Smooth

Lemma

Lanceolate

Palea

Seldom visible

Other structures

SpikeSpike:
Has a strong central axis (rachis) on which flowers or spikelets are directly attached (sessile), e.g. wheatgrasses.
rachis, sterile secondary floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
.

Identification notes

The seed unitSeed unit:
The structure usually regarded as a seed in planting practices and in commercial channels, consisting of a true seed with or without accessory structures, as defined in Section 2.6 of the AOSA Rules. See also true seed.
structure is highly variable. Usually, it is an entire spikeSpike:
Has a strong central axis (rachis) on which flowers or spikelets are directly attached (sessile), e.g. wheatgrasses.
, including the spikeSpike:
Has a strong central axis (rachis) on which flowers or spikelets are directly attached (sessile), e.g. wheatgrasses.
rachis. Other seed unitsSeed unit:
The structure usually regarded as a seed in planting practices and in commercial channels, consisting of a true seed with or without accessory structures, as defined in Section 2.6 of the AOSA Rules. See also true seed.
are the spikeletSpikelet:
One or more florets that are subtended by a pair of bracts called glumes. Spikelets are pedicellate if located on a pedicle and sessile if attached directly to the rachis. Often spikelets with single florets have remnants of a second floret, usually a lemma.
, double floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
, and the ovalOval:
Broadly elliptic.
caryopsis. Single floretsFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
are rare.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.

 Bouteloua curtipendula.  Spikelet, double floret, and an oval caryopsis. 
Bouteloua curtipendula. Spikelet, double floret, and an oval caryopsis.