Grass Description
Rocky slopes, open woodlands, and forested areas, on a broad range of soils. Common in the ponderosa pine forests of Northern Arizona.
General Description
Tufted, erect bunchgrass. Bunches vary from 1 to 12 inches in width. Seedheads 1 to 4 inches long and densely flowered. Occasionally with slender creeping rhizomes. Greens up in early spring and again in the fall if moisture is available.
Tufted perennial, stems to 30 inches tall. Blades usually inrolled. Seedhead of contracted branches of 3 to 15 spikelets of 5 to 8 florets (rarely 4). Male and female flowers mostly on separate plants.
Flower Characteristics
Branches short, erect or erect and spreading. Spikelets have 5 to 8 florets (rarely 4).
Vegetative Characteristics
Blades 2 to 12 inches long,usually folded, stiff, mostly basal.
Excellent for cattle and horses, good for sheep, elk and deer; value declines rapidly with maturity.