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Arizona
Range Grasses Back to the Table of Contents
Growth habit: A large, weak stemmed, fine, wiry
perennial bunchgrass. Stems are leafy for their entire length, branched,
bent at the joints, and knotty at the base. When ungrazed, the plants
form a tangled leafy mass 1 to 3 feet high and 1 1/2
to 3 feet across.
Occurrence Dry mesas and rocky slopes from 2,000 to 6,000 feet in
all counties of the state except Apache county. This was formerly one
of the most abundant and important grasses of southern Arizona, but
is now often found largely as individual plants under the protection
of shrubs. Forage Value Bush muhly is highly palatable to all classes of livestock.
It remains green most of the year if sufficient moisture is available.
On conservatively grazed ranges it is utilized chiefly between December
and July, but because of its ability to remain green yearlong, it does
provide palatable forage every month of the year.
Where possible this grass should be allowed to set a full crop of seed during the summer growing season at least every second or third year. Deferment of grazing during July and August every year is recommended on depleted ranges.
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Cooperative
Extension,College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of
Arizona