Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Bouteloua dactyloides
Plant Common Name
Grama Grass
General Description
The dense turf grass, buffalograss, is a warm season perennial native to the Central Plains of the North America, from Manitoba, Canada down to Mexico. It is very drought tolerant and was one of the most important food sources for the great herds of bison that once roamed the plains.
This is one of the best native grasses for turf and lawns. It has curly, thin, gray-green blades and spreads by both stolons (above ground lateral stems) and rhizomes (below ground lateral stems). Its grassy late-season flowers are dioecious, which means male and female flowers are produced on different plants. Small, pollen producing male flowers are grouped on tall thin stems held above the leaves, while the female flowers are held on shorter, denser spikes that receive the wind-distributed pollen grains.
Full sun and alkaline, well-drained soil are essential for good growth. Buffalograss prefers clay-loam and performs poorly in sandy soil. It is best suited to low-maintenance situations. It has good pest resistance, drought and cold tolerance and requires low to moderate fertilization. When subjected to drought, it responds by going dormant and turning brown. Once water is available, it will green up again. Buffalograss has marginal wear tolerance despite the fact it’s a low water grass. Wet conditions and low light will quickly kill plants.
Plant this resilient lawn grass in low-water areas. Most cultivars are low-growing, so mowing is generally not required. When left unmown, the blades have a natural grace and ripple in the breeze. Plant buffalograss by seed, sod or plugs, alone or in combination with blue gama grass (Bouteloua gracilis).
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 10
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Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21
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Plant Type
Grass
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2"-8" / 5.1cm - 20.3cm
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
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Native To
North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Mat-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Green, Tan
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Fruit Color
Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Blue Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Blue Green, Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Lawns and Turf
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
Yes
