Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses of North Dakota

Grass (Native Species)

Harold Umber photo: Buffalograss (inset shows head of grass)
Harold Umber Buffalograss
(Buchloe dactyloides)
Distribution: central and southwestern North Dakota
Habitat: mixed grass and shortgrass prairies, medium to fine textured soils
Description: Warm-season, perennial shortgrass. Spikes are differentiated into to male and female. Female plants produce seed burrs on short stem, directly above a few leaves. Male plants have spikes that look like miniature seed heads of blue grama (small combs on one side of the stem).
Height: females: a few inches, males: <6 inches
Plant uses and other interesting facts: Buffalograss is often used for erosion control because of its sod-like qualities. It spreads by stolons which creep across the ground spreading new roots systems.

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