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Official State Grasses

Official grasses listed by adoption year. (List by state or year)
State Name Designated as YearList by adoption year
Nebraska Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Official state grass 1969
South Dakota Western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) State grass 1970
Texas Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.) Official State grass 1971
Oklahoma Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) State grass 1972
Montana Bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum Pursh) Official grass 1973
New Mexico Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracillis) Official grass 1973
Nevada Indian rice grass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) Official state grass 1977
North Dakota Western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) Official grass 1977
Colorado Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracillis) Official State grass 1987
Illinois Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) Official State prairie grass 1989
Washington Bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) Official grass 1989
Utah Indian rice grass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) State grass 1990
South Carolina Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) Official grass 2001
California Purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) Official State grass 2004
Missouri Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) Official grass 2007
Wyoming Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) State grass 2007
Kansas Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Official grass 2010
Alabama [ None ]    
Alaska [ None ]    
Arizona [ None ]    
Arkansas [ None ]    
Connecticut [ None ]    
Delaware [ None ]    
Florida [ None ]    
Georgia [ None ]    
Hawaii [ None ]    
Idaho [ None ]    
Indiana [ None ]    
Iowa [ None ]    
Kentucky [ None ]    
Louisiana [ None ]    
Maine [ None ]    
Maryland [ None ]    
Massachusetts [ None ]    
Michigan [ None ]    
Minnesota [ None ]    
Mississippi [ None ]    
New Hampshire [ None ]    
New Jersey [ None ]    
New York [ None ]    
North Carolina [ None ]    
Ohio [ None ]    
Oregon [ None ]    
Pennsylvania [ None ]    
Rhode Island [ None ]    
Tennessee [ None ]    
Vermont [ None ]    
Virginia [ None ]    
West Virginia [ None ]    
Wisconsin [ None ]    
Agnes Chase's First Book of Grasses

Agnes Chase's First Book of Grasses, by Lynn G. Clark and Richard W. Pohl. 127 pages. Publisher: Smithsonian; 4th Edition (April 17, 1996)

For almost seventy-five years, Agnes Chase's First Book of Grasses has been the classic guide to the structure of this complex group of plants. Clearly written and copiously illustrated with line drawings, the book is accessible to those with little or no botanical training, yet it also is respected by botanists as an authoritative introduction to agrostology.

Highly recommended for "wannabe" botanists and plant lovers, this book divides the complexity of grasses into twelve relatively simple lessons. The book now has been thoroughly revised to reflect current scientific knowledge, nomenclature, and classification.
How To Identify Grasses & Grasslike Plants

How To Identify Grasses & Grasslike Plants, by H.D. Harrington. 164 pages. Publisher: Publisher: Swallow Press; 1st ed edition (January 1, 1977)

There is no easy was to identify grasses. And no one understood this better than H.D. Harrington, who observed thousands of students struggle and learn.

His clear, concise, and well-organized guide will continue to be a basic and essential text for use in the classroom or in the field. The book contains over 500 drawings and an illustrated glossary.
Manual of Grasses for North America

Manual of Grasses for North America, Edited by Mary E. Barkworth, Laurel K. Anderton, Kathleen M. Capels, Sandy Long, and Michael B. Piep. 640 pages. Publisher: Utah State University Press; 1 edition (September 30, 2007)

Grasses are the world's most important plants. They are the dominant species over large parts of the earth's land surface, a fact that is reflected in the many different words that exist for grasslands, words such as prairie, veldt, palouse, and pampas to mention just a few. As a group, grasses are of major ecological importance, as soil binders and providers of shelter and food for wild animals, both large and small. Some grasses, such as wheat, rice, corn, barley, rye, tef, and sugar cane are major sources of calories for humans and their livestock; others, primarily bamboos, are used for construction, tools, paper, and fabric. More recently, the seed catalogs that tantalize gardeners each winter have borne witness to an increasing appreciation of the aesthetic value of grasses.
Manual of the Grasses of the United States Volume 1

Manual of the Grasses of the United States Volume 1, by A.S. Hitchcock. 525 pages. Publisher: Dover Publications; 2 edition (June 1, 1971)

Volume 1 of the basic study of American grasses, both indigenous and escapes, cultivated and wild. Over 1400 species. Full descriptions, information. Total in set: over 1100 maps, illustrations. "A definitive work invaluable to both amateur and professional botanists." -- American Reference Books Annual. This volume revised by Agnes Chase.

Manual of the Grasses of the United States Vol. 2, by A.S. Hitchcock. 525 pages. Dover Publications; 2nd edition (June 1, 1971)

Volume 2 of the basic study of American grasses, both indigenous and escapes, cultivated and wild. Over 1400 species. Full descriptions, information. Total in set: over 1100 maps, illustrations. "A definitive work invaluable to both amateur and professional botanists." -- American Reference Books Annual. This volume revised by Agnes Chase.
The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes

The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes, by Rick Darke. 484 pages. Publisher: Timber Press (April 15, 2007)

In this new book noted grass expert and advocate Rick Darke addresses both the aesthetic qualities of grasses in private gardens and the opportunities and challenges of using them in wild and constructed public landscapes. All the true grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, and cattails that possess ornamental merit or that can contribute to ecological plantings are described, and practical matters of propagation, growth, and maintenance are also covered. More than 1000 stunning photographs show details of individual plants and hundreds of gardens and landscapes in which grasses play a prominent part.
The Organic Lawn Care Manual: A Natural, Low-Maintenance System for a Beautiful, Safe Lawn

The Organic Lawn Care Manual: A Natural, Low-Maintenance System for a Beautiful, Safe Lawn , by Paul Tukey. 271 pages. Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (January 30, 2007)

Extend an organic lifestyle beyond the front door! Get your lawn off drugs with The Organic Lawn Care Manual, Storey’s comprehensive guide for creating a lush green lawn without chemicals and pesticides. Paul Tukey takes the mystery out of making a healthy and inviting outdoor play area for kids, pets, and the whole family.