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Arizona
Range Grasses Back to the Table of Contents
Growth habit: Perennial bunchgrass 1 1/2
to 2 feet tall.
Occurrence Reported from Coconino, Yavapai, Graham, Gila, Pinal,
Cochise, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties. It usually grows on steep, rocky
slopes at elevations of 2,000 to 7,500 feet and is frequently associated
with oaks or pinyon and juniper. Forage Value Although Texas bluestem is fine-leaved, it has hard, wiry stems. This may account for its rather low palatability. It usually rates as only fair forage, probably because it generally grows among highly palatable grama grasses.
Texas bluestem is most palatable during the summer months from July into September when it is growing most actively. During the fall, winter and spring the plants are dry and are eaten sparingly unless there is a shortage of other forage. When grazed during the growing season a third of the seed stalks should be left and deferment allowed approximately every third year.
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Cooperative
Extension,College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of
Arizona