NATIVE FORAGE GRASSES 



137 



are numerous, but three 

 species, buffalo grass, 

 grama grass, and curly 

 mesquite, stand out as 

 being especially import- 

 ant. These are all pop- 

 ularly known on the 

 plains as short grasses, to 

 distinguish them from 

 taller species of the val- 

 leys, such as bluestem. 

 In all three species the 

 foliage is short and curly, 

 forming a close covering 

 to the soil. The flower 

 stalks of grama grass rise 

 to the height of several 

 inches. 



Buffalo grass {Bulbilis 

 dactyloides (Nutt.) Raf. ; 

 Buchlo: dactyl aides 

 (Nutt.) Engelm.) is a 

 light or grayish green 

 creeping grass that forms 

 a strong firm sod. The 

 flowers are of two sorts, 

 the male or staminate 

 being produced on short 

 erect stems 3 to 6 inches 

 tall, with 2 or 3 short 

 pale spikes or flags, not 



32. Grama Grass. The upper 

 part of two flower stems, each bear- 

 ing two spikes of flo'wftrs. 



