Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Native Prairie, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Buffalograss (Wild-type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9, excellent cold and heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns tan after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A low-growing, grey-green native grass that reaches 4-8 inches unmowed. It turns straw-colored in winter. It is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are on separate plants; male plants have spear-like flags while females have bur-like seeds nestled in the foliage.
Blade Characteristics
Fine texture (<2mm width), grey-green to blue-green color, flat or curly shape with a pointed tip. Vernation is rolled/folded, ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 5 feet deep), strongly stoloniferous, low thatch tendency, slow to moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
North American Great Plains; well-adapted from Canada to Mexico in semi-arid regions
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreading via above-ground runners), forming a low, dense sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8 hours), very low water needs, extremely high drought tolerance, prefers well-drained alkaline soils (pH 6.5-8.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.0-4.0 inches, low frequency, low fertilization (1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), low maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional drought resistance, moderate wear tolerance, salt tolerant, poor shade tolerance, excellent weed suppression once established.
Ecological Information
Native to North America, provides nesting material for birds and forage for grazing wildlife, highly effective for soil stabilization in arid climates.