|
Arizona
Range Grasses Back to the Table of Contents
Description Growth habit: A low-growing, fine-leaved, fine-stemmed
sodgrass that tends to grow in rings. These are caused by the center
dying out as the plant enlarges. The rings may range in size from several
inches to a few feet across. Occurrence Widespread throughout much of the pinyon-juniper and grassland
range in the central and northern part of the state. An abundance of
this grass is almost always a sign of a range that has been overgrazed.
Occasionally it may indicate poor site potential.
Forage Value Even when ring muhly is young and growing rapidly its palatability is low. As the plants mature palatability drops almost to zero. Because of their low palatability and small size, ring muhly plants have very little value as forage. Ranges with ring muhly should be managed with other grasses as key species. Continued attempts to obtain even a moderate amount of grazing from the ringgrass will in time drive out all of the desirable forage species. Ranges with an abundance of this grass should be rested during the summer rainy season at least every other year until the vigor and density of the better forage species has clearly improved.
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