Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a low-growing, perennial, warm-season turfgrass native to the Great Plains of the United States. It is not planted in widespread areas in the Carolinas. Buffalograss is drought tolerant, and requires little fertilization. It is not adapted to shaded or heavily traveled sites.

• SEEDHEAD / FLOWER
  • spike
• VERNATION TYPE
  • rolled
• LIGULE TYPE
  • fringe of hairs 0.02 - 0.04 inches (0.5 - 1 mm) long
    ​Figure 1, Figure 2
• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • warm season turf or perennial weed
• AURICLE TYPE
  • absent
• LEAF BLADE TIP SHAPE
  • sharp-pointed; flat, sparsely hairy, bluish-gray
• LEAF BLADE WIDTH
  • 0.04 - 0.12 inches (1 - 3 mm) wide
• STOLON PRESENCE
  • present; stout
    ​Figure 3
• RHIZOME PRESENCE
  • absent
• COLLAR TYPE
  • continuous; broad, hairy
    ​Figure 4, Figure 5
• SHEATH MARGIN
  • open

Figure 1. Buffalograss ligule.

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Figure 1. Buffalograss ligule.

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Figure 2. Buffalograss ligule.

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Figure 2. Buffalograss ligule.

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Figure 3. Buffalograss stolon.

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Figure 3. Buffalograss stolon.

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Figure 4. Buffalograss hairy collar.

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Figure 4. Buffalograss hairy collar.

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Figure 5. Buffalograss collar type.

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Figure 5. Buffalograss collar type.

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