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Arizona
Range Grasses Back to the Table of Contents
Growth habit: A perennial bunchgrass, 1 to 4 feet
tall; the stems often bending abruptly at the nodes.
Occurrence Widespread and abundant in southern Arizona; reported
from all counties except Apache and Mohave. This grass is most abundant
on dry plains, rocky slopes, and along washes, often in partial shade
of shrubs and trees, mostly at 3,500 to 5,500 feet. Forage Value Plains bristlegrass is a perennial bunchgrass with good to excellent forage value. The abundant, tender, basal leaves are highly palatable and are readily taken by grazing animals.
Bristlegrass is not very resistant to grazing. It often
grows in the open shade of low trees or clumps of brush, where it is
somewhat protected from grazing. Because of its high palatability bristlegrass can be selectively grazed to the detriment of the grass. Although providing excellent forage, it will not tolerate heavy use. If a range is grazed lightly enough to maintain and increase this grass, full use will not be made of the other species. If full use is made of other species, the bristlegrass will decrease. Management, therefore, usually depends on rotational systems that allow for periodic growing season deferment.
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Cooperative
Extension,College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of
Arizona