Buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a native, warm-season turfgrass valued for its exceptional drought tolerance and low-maintenance requirements. Originating in the North American Great Plains, this species offers a durable, fine-textured lawn option particularly suited for arid and semi-arid regions. Distinguishing it from other common turf species requires a close examination of its non-flowering structure, its unique reproductive parts, and a clear comparison with similar-looking grasses.
Identifying the Vegetative Structure
The vegetative structure provides clear markers for identification when flowers are not present. Its leaf blades are short and fine, typically presenting a light green to a distinct grayish-blue-green color. These blades possess a soft feel and are covered in fine hairs (pubescence) on both the upper and lower surfaces, which helps differentiate it from smoother grasses.
Buffalo grass is a sod-forming species that spreads across the ground through above-ground runners called stolons. These stolons are short and grayish, allowing the grass to knit together a dense turf over time. Examination of the ligule, the small membrane or structure at the junction of the leaf blade and the leaf sheath, reveals a key feature: it is not a solid membrane but rather a distinct fringe or row of short hairs.
Distinctive Reproductive Characteristics
The most definitive way to confirm the identity of buffalo grass is by observing its reproductive structures. Buffalo grass is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants, with the respective flowers borne on different individuals. This division makes the flowering parts different in appearance and placement within the lawn canopy.
The male flowers are easily visible, appearing as small, flag-like spikelets that are clustered on slender stalks (racemes). These stems extend noticeably above the main leaf canopy, often reaching heights of three to eight inches. This height allows for wind dispersal of pollen, making the male plants the source of visible, high-standing seed heads in an unmowed lawn.
In contrast, the female flowers are inconspicuous, forming small, rounded, burr-like clusters. These burrs remain partially hidden within the foliage, nestled close to the ground, which protects the developing seeds. To find the female flower, one must part the leaf blades near the soil surface, as they are rarely held above the main turf height. These reproductive structures typically emerge during the summer months, providing the clearest visual confirmation during the peak growing season.
Distinguishing Buffalo Grass from Common Lookalikes
Buffalo grass is frequently confused with other warm-season grasses that also spread by runners, such as Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass. Understanding the differences in growth habit and leaf texture is the most practical way to avoid misidentification. The contrast in the aggressiveness of the runners is a primary differentiator between buffalo grass and Bermudagrass.
Bermudagrass is known for its fast, aggressive growth habit, utilizing both above-ground stolons and underground stems called rhizomes. Buffalo grass, however, spreads much more slowly and uses only stolons, resulting in a less aggressive and more manageable sod. Furthermore, while buffalo grass has a grayish-blue-green color and a soft texture, Bermudagrass is typically a vibrant, darker green and tends to have a somewhat coarser feel.
The distinction from Zoysiagrass centers on leaf stiffness and growth mechanisms. Zoysiagrass foliage is notably stiffer and denser than the soft blades of buffalo grass, often described as thick and succulent. Zoysiagrass also spreads using both stolons and rhizomes, similar to Bermudagrass, making its spread more vigorous and dense than that of buffalo grass.
The reproductive structures remain the distinguishing feature, especially in unmowed areas. Bermudagrass produces a distinctive, windmill-like flower head with two to seven spike-like branches on a single plant. Since Zoysiagrass and Bermudagrass have both male and female parts on the same plant, neither exhibits the separate, high-standing male spikes and hidden female burrs that are the hallmark of buffalo grass.