Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Native Prairie, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'UC Verde' or 'Legacy', noted for its fine texture and dense low-growth habit.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-9; excellent heat and cold tolerance; goes dormant and turns tan after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A fine-textured, low-growing grass with a soft appearance. It reaches 3-8 inches if unmowed. It is grayish-green to blue-green in summer, turning a straw color in winter dormancy. B. dactyloides is dioecious, featuring distinct male flag-like seed heads and female burr-like seeds.
Blade Characteristics
Fine width (1-3mm), flat or slightly curled shape with a pointed tip. Color is a distinct blue-green. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous roots (up to 5 feet), develops lewat stolons. Slow establishment but very low thatch tendency and high drought tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
North American Great Plains; well-adapted to semi-arid regions of the Central U.S. and Mexico.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads via above-ground runners to form a dense, low-growing mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very low water needs once established. Highly drought tolerant; prefers well-drained alkaline soils (pH 6.0-8.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2-3 inches for turf; frequency is low (once every 2-4 weeks). Fertilization 1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. Low maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent drought resistance, low traffic tolerance (compared to Bermuda), good disease resistance, and high salt tolerance. Not suitable for shade.
Ecological Information
Native to North America; provides forage for livestock and wildlife; excellent for soil stabilization and water conservation in xeriscaping.