Buffelgrass
Family
Poaceae
Pennisetum ciliare
Designation/Status
Arizona Noxious Weed List - Listed
Federal Noxious Weed List - Not Listed
Origins
Buffelgrass is native to the arid regions of
Africa and
the Middle East as well as some areas in tropical Asia.
Plant Characteristics
Life Cycle: Buffelgrass is a perennial warm
season grass. Inflorescences form multiple times a year whenever
moisture is available, and can reproduce in as little as six
weeks. Seed dispersal is accomplished primarily by wind or by
adhering to animal fur. Seed transportation by vehicles and water
has also been demonstrated.
Visual Appearance: Erect flowering stalks shoot out
of dense, leafy clumps and can reach over 39 inches (100 cm) tall.
Bristly flower heads range from 1.5 - 5 inches (4 - 13 cm) long
and can be purple, gray, or yellowish turning a distinctive
golden-brown color when dry.
Habitat
Prefers arid, tropical and sub-tropical areas in
elevation between sea level and approximately 4000 feet (1300m).
Can be found along roadsides encouraged by winter rainfall in
chaparral areas in Northwest Sonora and Arizona.
Control Measures
Mechanical and Cultural: Complete removal of the
plant including all pieces of the plant crown, otherwise
re-sprouting may occur.
Biological: None
Chemical: Most effective if applied when the plant
is actively growing, especially when trying to control larger
stands. Care should be taken, as buffelgrass has been known to
build chemical tolerances.
Other Points of Interest
Used as
pasture grass in Texas as early as 1900
