Bouteloua eriopoda
Black grama
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Bouteloua eriopoda (Black grama) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by stolons and hairy internodes.
Black grama is a native perennial grass found in the eastern desert mountains in dry, open, sandy to rocky slopes, scrub, and woodland at elevations of 900 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces delicate, spreading grass flowers with subtle tan to brown hues. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 15 to 60 centimeters tall that are notably hairy, especially at the lower internodes, it spreads through underground stolons. Its narrow leaves are less than 10 centimeters long and less than 2 millimeters wide, with grass branches bearing 6 to 18 ascending spikelets. The inflorescence has 2 to 7 spreading branches that persist after flowering, with characteristic hairy bases and distinctive awned florets.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are stolons and hairy internodes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open, sandy to rocky slopes, flats, drainages, scrub, woodland
Elevation: 900-1900 m
Outside California: to Wyoming, Oklahoma, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Bouteloua eriopoda blooms May-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Cenchrus: Bouteloua has one-sided comb-like spikes; Cenchrus has spiny burs around the spikelets.; vs Melica: Bouteloua has spikelets on one side only; Melica has spikelets all around the branches.; vs Avena: Bouteloua has tiny comb-like spikes; Avena has large, dangling spikelets in open clusters.; vs Ehrharta: Bouteloua has 3-veined lemmas; Ehrharta has hardened sterile lemmas below the fertile one.; vs Hordeum: Bouteloua has one-sided brush spikes; Hordeum has cylindrical spikes with bristly glumes all around.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bouteloua eriopoda native to California?
Yes. Bouteloua eriopoda is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Bouteloua eriopoda bloom?
Bouteloua eriopoda blooms May-Oct.
What plant family does Bouteloua eriopoda belong to?
Bouteloua eriopoda is in the Poaceae family, genus Bouteloua.
Is Bouteloua eriopoda rare or endangered?
Bouteloua eriopoda carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
What habitat does Bouteloua eriopoda grow in?
Bouteloua eriopoda grows in Dry, open, sandy to rocky slopes, flats, drainages, scrub, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.