Status: Native
Synonyms:
Buchloe dactyloides (Nuttall) Engelmann
Bulbilis dactyloides (Nuttall) Rafinesque
Sesleria dactyloides Nuttall
Bouteloua dactyloides is a roadside grass with short spikes on short stems. It resembles a rather diminutive
version of Bouteloua gracilis. However, only the staminate spikelets are seen rising above the leafy mat. The pistillate spikelets are hidden below in "bony burs". There is only one floret per spikelet. The lemma and palea are translucent thin, and the first glume has stubby cilia along the single nerve in the center. The lemma has a pronounced, green central vein.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Bouteloua dactyloides, staminate plant, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Oct. 9, 2008
Bouteloua dactyloides, closeup staminate plant, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Oct. 9, 2008
Bouteloua dactyloides, closeup staminate plant, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Oct. 9, 2008
Bouteloua dactyloides, micro of spikelets staminate plant, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Oct. 9, 2008
Bouteloua dactyloides, micro of spikelets staminate plant, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Oct. 9, 2008
Bouteloua dactyloides, micro of female spikelets in burs, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Oct. 11, 2008
Bouteloua dactyloides, micro of female spikelets in burs, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Oct. 11, 2008
Back to the Index