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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PAPPUSGRASS
Pappohorum vaginatum Buckl

Description

Growth habit: An erect, finely tufted, hairy, perennial bunchgrass, roughly 2 to 3 feet tall when growing on good sites with adequate rainfall, but commonly smaller.
Color: Gray-green to light green.
Leaves: Flat or folded, thin, up to 1/4 inch wide, often inrolled on drying.
Inflorescence: Four to 10 inches long, cylindrical, hairy-appearing because of the numerous bristles, tan to gray-white.
Season: Warm Season
Origin: Native

Figure 55.—Pappusgrass (Papphorum vaginatum) . View Larger Image Click Here

Occurrence

Cochise and Pima counties in the desert-grassland and desert-shrub types from 2,500 to 4,000 feet. Frequently grows intermixed with grama grasses.

Forage Value

Pappusgrass as it is not abundant on most ranges; it is usually not rated as a particularly valuable forage producer.

Grazing Management

Pappusgrass may be maintained on a range under the same intensity of grazing that will maintain associated grama grasses. As with most grasses it will recover most rapidly under a program of deferment and rotation. Grazing deferment for only about two months during the summer growing season is often adequate to improve overgrazed ranges.

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