Sideoats grama

Description:

Widely distributed throughout North and South America, this perennial warm-season bunchgrass displays tall, slender seed stalks with up to 20 spikes aligned along one side of the stalk, like a line of flags depending from a mast. Side-oats is the largest of the grama grasses, sometimes over 30" tall. It is widespread in Arizona, found mostly on rocky open slopes. Leaves, clustered mostly near the base of the plant, are coarse, stiff, and usually wide and flat. The spikelets are awnless or have very short awns. Though its seeds are numerous and effective, Side-oats Grama produces mainly by rhizomes, thus increasing its capacity to stabilize soils.

Habitat:

Roadside in South Eastern Arizona.