Utah State University

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Buchloe dactyloides

Common Name Buffalograss

Family Poaceae

Description
This grass is becoming ever-more popular as a turfgrass. Its stoloniferous and low-growing spreading habits make it an ideal grass for a turf area. The flowering culms are quite ornamental, with the culms sometimes reaching .3 meters in height. The blades are 1-2.5 mm wide and 0.02-.1 mm long. It is extremely drought resistant.

Range
Buffalograss is a dominant species in shortgrass prairies and is an excellent source of forage for grazing animals. Elevation: to 6,500ft.

Culture
Requires extra irrigation on sandy soils. Tolerant to mowing. Low water requirement, but more irrigation needed to keep the lawn aesthetically pleasing longer. Does extremely well in hot situations.

Value
Buffalograss is a sod forming, stoloniferous grass that has several improved form released by the University of Nebraska. It is an alternative but not a replacement for Kentucky bluegrass. It has a creamy blue-green color with an attractive seed head that gives a naturalized appearance when left unmowed. Uses half the water of bluegrass, and when mowed needs cutting half as frequently. Common in the trade.

Propagation
Can be sown from seed or planted as a sod mixed with Blue gramagrass. Can also be sown as plugs. To start seed of buffalograss in plugs or in desired turf area this seed requires darkness to germinate and will do best with ¼" to ½", but no more, soil cover. Keep moist until germination is complete.

A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.
Aldo Leopold