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Arizona
Range Grasses Back to the Table of Contents
Description Growth habit: Short-lived, perennial bunchgrass,
10 to 18 inches tall. The plant is more erect than sixweeks grama, an
annual grass with which it is often confused. Occurrence Dry rocky hillsides and sandy mesas in Mohave, Yavapai, Graham, Pinal, Cochise, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties, mostly between 2,300 and 5,500 feet. This grass was once quite common on the edge of the desert, but much of it has been grazed out. It has become more common on better rangelands as the more palatable grasses have disappeared.
Forage Value Rothrock grama is palatable when actively growing, though
less nutritious than most perennial grama grasses at the same stage
of growth. This grass does not cure well and rates only fair in palatability
and nutritive value when dry. Grazing Management Ranges where this is the principal grass should be grazed primarily during the summer months when actively growing. On most grassland ranges Rothrock grama will be replaced by better grasses under proper range management. It is very susceptible to drought, and its abundance may fluctuate widely from year to year, depending on weather conditions.
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Extension,College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of
Arizona