Buffelgrass inflorescences.

Identification

Key characteristics for properly identifying buffelgrass:

• bunch grass -- all stems come from a centralized point to form a large 'clump'
• color -- plants quickly respond to moisture by turning bright green; during dry periods, the plants become a golden brown. Previous season's growth remains on the plant and fades to a light gray.
• bottlebrush inflorescence -- the seeds develop on the end of a stalk, which has a slightly fuzzy appearance that looks like a bottlebrush
• rough rachis -- the central stem that used to contain the inflorescence seeds is extremely rough if you run your fingers from the bottom to the top

An example of a hairy ligule on a buffelgrass plant.
Photo: Marilyn Hanson.
• hairy ligule -- area where the leaf blade diverges from the stem, when the leaf blade is pulled slightly away from the stem delicate hairs are obvious
• rough leaf blade -- the leaf blade contains small stiff hairs so if you run your fingers gently along the blade from the stem to the tip of the leaf it will feel 'rough'

Before treating buffelgrass, it is important that the plant is properly identified. Although there are some key characteristics that can help in identification, there are some good native grasses that may appear similar. An identification tip sheet has been developed by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum that provides key distinguishing features for many of our native grasses that are good for wildlife and should not be removed.