Black Grama Grass

Black Grama Grass, scientific name: Bouteloua eriopoda. Black Grama Grass is a perennial grass native to the North American Southwest. This grass can most commonly be found in the Chihuahuan Desert.
The height and growth of the grass largely depends on rainfall. The more rainfall, the taller the grass grows. However, this desert dwelling plant is well equipped to survive drought and has a deep root system that can extend to over four feet in the soil. It also has a small leaf blade size that hardly ever exceeds 2mm wide.

Black Grama Grass is very high in protein, which makes it an excellent food source for many grass grazing species. However, overgrazing can be very damaging. Black Grama Grass is also being driven out by Honey Mesquite. The bunch-like nature of Black Grama helps prevent soil erosion so reduction of Black Grama can result in dramatic changes in topsoil.