Bouteloua gracilis

Found throughout most of the United States (absent in the Pacific Northwest, Appalachian areas and most of the southeast), this is the dominant species over much of the Great Plains. It is the state grass of both Colorado and New Mexico. It is found throughout New Mexico, but is most abundant in the central and eastern plains.

Plant habit in upper Long Canyon in the Organ Mountains, where it forms a near-monotypic grassland unusual for this part of the state, 10 Jan 2008.

Old inflorescences from which the spikelets have fallen, upper Long Canyon, 10 Jan 2008.

A primary branch of the inflorescence in the Big Burro Mountains, 22 Sep 2007.

Plant habit in the Big Burro Mountains, 22 Sep 2007.