Arizona Range Grasses
Their Description, Forage Value, and Grazing Management
Cooperative Extension,College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona

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MUTTONGRASS
Festuca arizonica Vasey

Description

Growth habit: A medium-size bunchgrass usually 1 to 2 feet tall. Basal diameter of individual bunches may range from less than an inch to about a foot.
Color: Usually pale bluish-green, particularly late in the season; may tend toward a bright green in rapidly growing plants early in the season.
Leaves: Generally 2 to 12 inches long, growing largely from a basal clump; stiff, usually folded or with inrolled edges.
Inflorescence: One to 4 inches long, rather densely flowered and compact; generally erect rather than nodding.
Season: Cool Season
Origin: Native

Figure 59.—Muttongrass (Poa fendleriana), plant, inflorescence, and spiketlet. View Larger Image Click Here

Occurrence

Common on well-drained soils in open woodland and forested areas throughout the state at elevations of 5,000 to 11,000 feet.

Forage Value

One of the better forage grasses in the higher elevations of the state. Muttongrass starts growth in late winter or early spring and provides an abundance of early green herbage. The foliage cures rather well, and is a fair fall forage, though less palatable than during late spring and early summer.

Grazing Management

Because of the forage value of this grass, ranges with moderate or abundant amounts of it should be managed to improve or maintain the stand. At least moderate use levels, leaving about one-fourth of the year’s production of seed heads during July and August in alternate years and deferment is advisable.

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Document located http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/natresources/az1272/
published 2002
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