Bouteloua simplex

Mat Grama


Field view of Bouteloua simplex or Mat Grama

Field view of Bouteloua simplex or Mat Grama.

 Tiny Inflorescences.

The seedheads are tiny.

 Mat Grama in the Hand

The entire plant is only a few inches high.

Mat Grama Seedheads

 The seedheads are short, straight eyebrows that will curl later.

 Entire Plant

From roots to inflorescence.

 Roots and Leaves

Just one "eyebrow" on each culm (stem).

Three Whole Plants of Marshland Muhly

Quarter inch grid shows the inflorescences are only about 1/2 inch long. 

Sixteenth-inch Spikelets

The seedheads are short compared to their width. Individual spikelets are awned.

 Spikelets Contain the Entire Reproductive System

The roots of Mat Grama.

How to Identify Mat Grama

  The gramas have either one-sided spike-like seedheads like the abundant Side-oats Grama or eyebrow-like seedheads such as Mat Grama and the ubiquitous Blue Grama. Mat Grama "eyebrows" are tiny and cute, appearing plump compared to their length.


Similar Species

  All the eyebrow-like gramas are quite similar and can be difficult to distinguish, but fortunately Mat Grama is easy because of its tiny size.