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Arizona
Range Grasses Back to the Table of Contents
Growth habit: Medium-size perennial bunchgrass,
15 to 30 inches tall, or occasionally taller. This is the largest and
coarsest of the grama grasses.
Occurrence Occurs over most of the state on rocky open slopes, woodlands,
and forest openings up to an elevation of about 7,000 feet. Although
not common below 2,500 feet, it does extend considerably lower than
this where moisture conditions are favorable. Forage Value This is one of our most important range grasses. Although
not as palatable as some of the smaller gramas, i.e., blue or slender,
it is more palatable than many grasses other than the gramas. It can
produce a much greater volume of forage than blue grama, and this tends
to make up for its slightly lower palatability. It remains green later
in the fall and usually begins growth in the spring before the other
gramas. It cures well, and maintains a fairly high forage value throughout
the year.
Sideoats grama is not as resistant to grazing as blue
grama. This may be because sideoats greens up earlier, stays green longer
and is grazed for a longer period. Sideoats is an important component of many Arizona grassland
ranges, and these ranges can support an abundance of the grass. It lengthens
the grazing season and increases forage production, in addition to providing
a valuable ground cover. Sideoats will return to most ranges under good management. Practices that will bring the grass back include moderation in stocking levels, occasional summer deferment, and brush control.
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Cooperative
Extension,College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of
Arizona