BREEDERS, GROWERS, DISTRIBUTORS 13 
BUFFALO Buchloe wactiiode: 
One of the most nutritious and fattening grasses for pasture and range from Texas north 
to Canada, readily grazed by all classes of livestock from late spring to late winter. 
Grows best on tight clay and clay loam soils. Turf thick and perennial; plants spreading 
by means of many surface runners radiating in all directions; leaves fine and abundant. 
Becomes dormant during drought and in winter. Grows with Bermuda in drier soils, where 
it is also valuable as a lawn grass. Seeds are borne in small burs on short seed stems 
among the leaves. While most nutritious in the cool moist to cool dry periods of spring 
and fall, it cures on the ground and retains some of its feed value during periods of 
drought and in winter. 
CANADA WILD-RYE Elymus canadensis 
Canada Wild-rye grass is a perennial, cool season bunch grass, native to all of Oklahoma 
and most of Texas and Arkansas. The bunches seldom attain any size and under many 
conditions are small and open. Well adapted to sandy soils throughout its entire southern 
range, but also thrives in heavy soils where rainfall is above thirty inches. Used chiefly for 
winter and early spring grazing. May be planted in early fall or very early spring. 
CARPET Axonopus compressus 
A perennial mat-forming grass well adapted to the humid regions of the high rainfall 
belt in coastal prairie pastures and the pine timber soils. While not considered so 
palatable and nutritious as some other grasses, it is a valuable foundation pasture grass 
in those areas. Bermuda grass, Lespedeza, and White Dutch clover are good in mixture 
with Carpet grass which flourishes through most of the year and is grazed by stock 
even when it has been browned by frost. Easily eradicated by one plowing. 
Carpet grass, as its name indicates, is also used for lawns, but should not be confused 
with the shade-tolerant St. Augustine grass, Stenotaphrum secundatum, frequently, but 
inaccurately, called Carpet grass. 
COMMON (Italian) RYEGRASS Lolium multiflorum 
Often referred to as “winter grass” or “winter green”. Widely adapted throughout the 
South for green lawns during fall, winter and spring, also used for pasture on permanent 
sod, or temporary pasture with oats and bur clover, and for winter soil-erosion control. Pre- 
fers rich soils and cool, moist weather. Not drought-resistant but somewhat winter hardy. 
Revives quickly and rapidly after close clipping and heavy grazing. Plants very leafy 
and spreading when spaced, but forming a soft, deep and dense dark green carpet when 
planted in thick stands. Where seasonal conditions are favorable, will yield an excellent 
quality hay, with or without mixtures of legumes. 
CRESTED WHEATGRASS Agropyron cristatum 
Crested Wheatgrass is a hardy long-lived perennial bunch grass. Because of its deep 
root system (5-6 ft.) it is very drought-resistant and withstands cold weather well. 
Commonly used in permanent pastures and does well on a wide range of soils from clay 
to sand. Makes an early spring growth that is relished by all livestock. 
CURLY MESQUITE Hilaria belangeri 
Curly Mesquite is a range grass found in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. 
Often confused with Buffalo grass, with which it is frequently associated and which 
it resembles. It is a perennial that grows in loose tufts or clumps and reproduces by 
seed and slender stolons. The plants are indeterminate in growth, resistant to drought, 
adapted to erosion control and will stand heavy grazing. Grows best on heavy clay soils, 
but will do well on lighter soils. 
