BUFFALOGRASS:  Buchloe dactyloides

Buffalograss is a deeply rooted native perennial grass, important in the short-grass region from Texas to South Dakota.  It is found primarily on soils with fairly high clay content and does not perform well on sandy soils.  This grass spreads rapidly by means of surface runners and forms a dense, matted growth five to eight inches tall.  Buffalograss is predominantly dioecious (individual plants are either male or female), with male and female plants occurring in nearly equal frequency.

Growth begins in mid-Spring and continues all summer.  The forage is highly palatable to all classes of livestock.  Buffalograss is fairly easy to establish and spreads vigorously under grazing pressure.  It withstands prolonged heavy grazing better than any other grass native to the plains states.  In fact, in western Kansas on range heavily grazed every year, it commonly survives as a nearly pure stand.