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| ## buffalograss {#buffalograss .Title-Header}                         |
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| *Buchloe dactyloides* (Nutt.) Engelm.                                 |
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| Plant Symbol = BUDA                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.2916666666666665in" height="3.4375in"}

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

##### *Bouteloua dactyloides* (Nutt.) J.T. Columbus {#bouteloua-dactyloides-nutt.-j.t.-columbus .Header-3}

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Erosion control*: Buffalograss can be used on areas that do not receive
a lot of rain but are affected by wind erosion, such as roadside cuts.

*Recreation and beautification*: This grass can be used in parks and on
school grounds, golf course roughs, and open lawns.

*Livestock*: This is an important pasture grass for native and
introduced animals.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Buchloe dactyloides* (Nutt.) Engelm., buffalograss, is a perennial,
native, low-growing, warm-season grass. Leaf blades are 10 to12 inches
long, but they fall over and give the turf a short appearance. Staminate
plants have 2 to 3 flag-like, one-sided spikes on a seedstalk 4 to 6
inches long. Spikelets, usually 10, are 1/8 inch long in two rows on one
side of the rachis. Pistillate spikelets are in a short spike or head
and included in the inflated sheaths of the upper leaves. Both male and
female plants have stolons from several inches to several feet in
length, internodes 2 to 3 inches long, and nodes with tufts on short
leaves.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

This grass occurs naturally and grows best on clay loam to clay soils.
It requires little mowing to achieve a uniform appearance. It has a low
fertility requirement and it often will maintain good density without
supplemental fertilization. Buffalograss is well suited for sites with
10 to 25 inches of annual precipitation. It is not adapted to shaded
sites.

Buffalograss is distributed throughout the Midwest. For a current
distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species
on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Buffalograss is propagated by seed and vegetatively. Establishment can
be accomplished by seeding, solid sodding, or sprigging rooted and
unrooted plugs. If seeds are used, drill at 1/2 inch deep and provide
firm contact between the seed and moist soil. The seed may also be
broadcast. When broadcasting seed, harrow or rake the area in two
directions immediately after seeding to work the seeds into the soil.
Broadcast seed must be covered with soil for the seeding to be
successful. With any method, the soil must be firmed against the seed.
Seedlings begin to appear 14 to 21 days after planting when moisture is
available for germination. The amount of seed needed to ensure a stand
at the end of the first year will depend on the method of seeding, the
quality of seedbed preparation, the availability of water for
establishment, and certain climatic uncertainties. All planting should
be delayed until the danger of frost has past. The time of planting
depends upon the latitude of the location, and may extend to August 1 in
lower latitudes.

Buffalograss can be established from pieces of sod or sod plugs. Sod
should be planted on a well prepared seedbed in 18-inch rows. Sod should
be spaced from 6 inches to 2 feet apart; plugs should be planted on 12
to 24 inch centers depending on how quickly a complete cover is desired.
When planting, dig a hole deep enough to set a plant in with the grass
blades above the ground. Pack soil around the sod making sure not to
cover with soil because the plant will die. Once planted, the sod should
be watered for about 3 weeks to ensure root establishment.

Sprigs should be planted into soil that has been tilled to a depth of 4
to 6 inches. Sprigging rate should be approximately 240 bushels of
sprigs per acre, planted to a depth of 1 inch or less. A planted site
should be rolled to ensure good sprig-soil contact and irrigated within
3 hours after planting. Newly planted areas will also require irrigation
for several weeks to maintain a moist environment for root
establishment.

Proper seedbed preparation for planting a home lawn is essential.
Buffalograss will grow on heavy and compacted soils, but it is easier to
start and maintain on good loam soils. Heavy soils may be improved by
applying good quality organic matter such as peat moss, aged manure, or
compost. Applying a phosphorus fertilizer stimulates seedling root
growth, even on soils testing high in phosphorus. Work the soil to a
depth of 4 to 6 inches. This may require plowing, discing, or tilling.
The seedbed should be uniform, friable, and well-packed. Use tillage
methods to control any weeds that may develop before seeding.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Buffalograss is only recommended for low maintenance and low use
turfgrass areas. Mowing height and frequency depend on grass use, amount
of irrigation, and time of year. Care must be taken when mowing not to
cut shorter than 2 to 3 inches to avoid other grasses from out-competing
the buffalograss. Buffalograss responds well to light applications of
nitrogen. Over- fertilization will promote undesirable grasses within
the planted area. Buffalograss is excellent for people who want a large,
attractive lawn during the summer with a minimum of work involved. Other
advantages of buffalograss for lawns is that it withstands heavy usage
and has good drought tolerance. However, potential lawn growers should
note that buffalograss is a warm-season grass, it turns brown with
fall\'s first freezing weather, and will not green-up until warm weather
returns; it will be brown and unattractive when the neighbor's Kentucky
Bluegrass is brilliant green. During extended dry periods in the summer
months, buffalograss will go brown and become dormant if no supplemental
water is provided. Because of aggressive runners, buffalograss can
require edging along walks, driveway, and flower beds.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Buffalograss has no serious pests.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Bison', 'Plains', 'Texoka', and 'Topgun' (cultivars); Bismarck Ecotype
(selected class release). Seeds are available at most Midwestern
commercial seed sources. Sod, sod plugs, and sprigs can be obtained from
sod farms.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 01Feb2002 JLK; 31may06jsp {#edited-01feb2002-jlk-31may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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