About Bouteloua chondrosioides (Kunth) Benth. ex S.Watson
Sprucetop grama, Bouteloua chondrosioides (Kunth) Benth. ex S.Watson, is a small drought-tolerant bunchgrass. In the wild, it grows to around 1 foot (0.30 m) tall; under ideal conditions, it can reach up to 3 feet (0.91 m) tall and show characteristics similar to turfgrass. Its flowers are spicate, with distinctive bright orange anthers, and are produced from July through August. Seeds are produced and dispersed from September through October, though Sprucetop grama can also be propagated from rootstock. Flowers grow on racemes that hold 3 to 7 spikes, and each spike bears 7 to 13 perfect spikelets. Most of its leaves grow from the base of the plant, with short sheaths, and are mildly furrowed. Its roots are strong and fibrous, but do not form a central taproot. Sprucetop grama is found primarily in northern Mexico and the desert foothills of southern Arizona. Field research shows the species prefers shallow slopes with acidic clay soils. It is typically found growing alongside other drought-tolerant prairie grasses, such as Bouteloua hirsuta and Hilaria belangeri, and is an important forage crop for cattle grazing.
