The Life History of Buffalo Grass

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The adverse weather conditions of recent years have produced drastic changes in the vegetative cover of the Great Plains. Not only has the annual rainfall been below normal for several years, but other climatic factors such as low relative humidity, high wind velocity, and high evaporation rate, have created a condition unfavorable for normal plant growth and crop production. The results are clearly portrayed by dust storms, crop failures, and a large decrease in the ground cover of native grasses. These factors have been largely responsible for the vast areas subjected to wind erosion. To check the expansion of soil erosion and to reclaim this great expanse of denuded ground, it is of vital importance that we have a comprehensive knowledge of methods employed in erosion control. Revegetation has been viewed in its proper relation to soil conservation, and is being currently used to combat erosion. Grasses are of prime importance, when considering the plants employed in establishing vegetative covers. Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) is a dioecious, stoloniferous perennial which, with Blue Grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis), forms the short grass faciation of the Great Plains. Its range extends from Saskatchewan to Mexico in the plains area. It is exceedingly valuable as forage, both during the growing season and winter, since the cured grass is relished by livestock (2). Its stoloniferous habits make it an aggressive plant, and give it great soil-binding properties. This species of grass has vast possibilities in revegetation practices (4). A study of its life-history should be of benefit to conservationists as well as to agrostologists and taxonomists. There is a definite need for studies of this type to provide detailed information relative to important species of grasses. This grass is used inside city limits as well as on the range. The fact that it thrives under normal climatic conditions indicates that it should flourish when given optimum moisture conditions. This is verified by the buffalo grass lawns found in mid-western cities and towns. It is easily transplanted by sodding, forms a dense growth of uniform cover, requires little attention, and does not require as much moisture as cultivated species. This plant has come into wide use since the recent drought. Many municipal buildings as well as private homes are surrounded by dense, even lawns of buffalo grass. Buffalo grass plants are usually dioecious. Monoecious plants occur occasionally. During recent years, perfect-flowered plants have been found (3). Usually, the seeds are produced in a cluster of hard, indurate bracts, collectively termed a bur. Each bur consists of from one to many pistillate flowers and is borne in the axils of the leaves. The staminate flowers, however, are borne on peduncles which protrude well above the plant. When per-