Bluebonnet. Mockingbird. Pecan. Armadillo. Longhorn. Sideoats Grama.
The state grass of Texas may not be as well known as the state flower, bird, tree, mammal (small), and mammal (large), but it is no less an enduring symbol of the state. And, right now, thanks to the rains much of Texas has received, Sideoats Grama and other native grasses are flourishing as they prepare to go to seed. You can take advantage of this fortuitous timing by simply not mowing until the native grasses have gone to seed. You can also pull on your boots, grab a paper bag, and stroll your property to harvest some of the seeds to spread to other parts of your property. Harvesting native grass seed from your property is even better than buying seed as it is already adapted to your land (and, it’s free!). Just be sure you’re harvesting the right grasses to spread. The following are just some of the native grasses spotted by a client who pulled on her boots and strolled her property.
Blue Grama
This extremely drought tolerant, short, perennial grass is also commonly planted as a turf grass mixed with Buffalograss. Look for “blue-green seedheads which are suspended horizontally like tiny brushes from the tip of each stem. The plant turns tan when dormant.” (wildflower.org). Blue Grama is good forage for wildlife. Seed-eating birds such as finches and sparrows go for Blue Grama.
Yellow Indiangrass
Who needs leaves turning in fall when you have the glistening gold seedheads of Yellow Indiangrass? This very drought and cold tolerant native grass also produces loads of seeds eaten by a variety of birds and provides denning and nesting materials. It also serves as larval food for butterflies. Yellow Indiangrass “prefers fertile, moist soils from heavy clays to sands. The stems can reach a height of 3 to 6 feet and have small hairs at the nodes.” (uvalde.tamu.edu). This versatile grass is enjoyed by livestock and can be used for erosion control.
Lindheimer Muhly
With its lush plumes in the fall, this showstopper of a native grass would look just as at-home in high-end landscaping. But don’t let its elegance fool you, it’s a workhorse of a native grass, offering forage for wildlife, seeds, denning and nesting materials for birds, and its root system makes a great soil stabilizer. It also lays claim to some interesting history courtesy of its namesake. As described by the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center:
“The species is named after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879) who is often called the Father of Texas Botany because of his work as the first permanent-resident plant collector in Texas. In 1834 Lindheimer immigrated to the United States as a political refugee. He spent from 1843-1852 collecting specimens in Texas. In 1844 he settled in New Braunfels, Texas, and was granted land on the banks of the Comal River…Lindheimer is credited with the discovery of several hundred plant species. In addition his name is used to designate forty-eight species and subspecies of plants. He is buried in New Braunfels. His house, on Comal Street in New Braunfels, is now a museum.”
Little Bluestem
Despite its name, Little Bluestem may be best known for the burnished red color its tall stems, anchored by dense mounds, develop in the fall and into winter. This native bunchgrass is used by wildlife for cover, nesting materials, and seeds. It’s also a larval host for a whole host of butterflies. Beyond harvesting its seed to propagate, it can also be dug up and divided in spring for replanting.
Sideoats Grama
Found on a variety of soils, Sideoats Grama holds the unique distinction of having been designated the state grass of Texas by the 62nd Legislature in 1971. This all-around winner offers good grazing for a variety of animals, good seed, denning and nesting material for birds. Wild turkey take advantage of it for cover and for food. It’s a larval host for the Dotted Skipper and Green Skipper butterflies. Sideoats Grama has been praised for its role in the recovery of grasslands following the drought of the 1930s. And with its leaves appearing like oats stemming off from the seedhead, and dangling off one side of the stem, it may also be the most aptly named of native grasses.
Thank you to FragranceStinks.com for the photos!
