Buchloe dactyloides      
Buffalo grass    
Gramineae Family     

Form: grass; thick mat ; srpeads by runners or stalons
Seasonality: warm-season
Size: male stems 4-6in; female shorter
Leaves: tan in winter; gray-green otherwise
Flowers: small tassels; mail and female flowers on separate plants
Fruit: n/a
Stems/Trunks: n/a
Range/Origin: norther Great Plains south into Mexico; 5500ft in Arizona
Hardiness: goes dormant after first few frosts

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• lawns
• groundcover

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: needs sun
• Water: natural rainfall in many places; needs 12in annually
• Soil: sandy, rocky, or limestone soils
• Propagation: runners or stolens; seed
• Maintenance: mowing generally not necessary; mow 2 times a year if used as turfgrass

research by Master Gardener Pat Perry

NOTES:

disease free with few insect problems
excellent variety "Prairie" available in sod form
seeding rate: 1/2 to 2 lbs per 1000 sq ft

Do not confuse with Buffel Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris).
Buffel is an agressive non-native which can be invasive and destructive local species.

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This page was first created February 7, 2004 and last modified February 11, 2006.

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email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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