|
Arizona
Range Grasses Back to the Table of Contents
Growth habit: A weedy, annual bunchgrass with weak,
spreading stems and a shallow root system.
Occurrence A common roadside weed occurring usually below about 5,500
feet elevation. It occurs in all counties of the state, and is one of
the first grasses to become established on bare soil. Forage Value Because of its local abundance this grass is valuable
as forage in some locations. Like other annuals, however, it produces
abundantly only after good rainfall seasons or where it receives extra
moisture as runoff from adjacent areas. Although feather fingergrass
is fineleaved and soft-stemmed, its palatability is low. Livestock will
graze it but much prefer the perennial gramas when available. Feather fingergrass grows rapidly, and, like most of our annual grasses, appears to set seed abundantly. For these reasons it can be grazed rather closely without harming the next year’s crop. It would be unusual to manage this grass as a key species however.
Back to the Table of Contents The University of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action Employer. Any products, services, or organizations that are mentioned,
shown, or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply endorsement
by the University of Arizona. |
Cooperative
Extension,College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of
Arizona