About Buffalo Grass: From Prairie Dominant to Sustainable Lawn Solution
The Historical Significance of Buffalo Grass in North America
Buffalo grass dominated approximately 60 million acres of the Great Plains before European settlement, forming the primary ground cover in short-grass prairie ecosystems from southern Canada to northern Mexico. The species co-evolved with massive bison herds, developing tolerance for heavy grazing and trampling that few other grasses could withstand. Native Americans recognized buffalo grass's value, noting that horses and bison preferentially grazed the nutritious forage even when other grasses were available.
Early settlers initially viewed buffalo grass as an obstacle to agriculture, plowing under millions of acres for wheat and corn production during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s demonstrated the consequences of removing deep-rooted native grasses, as topsoil eroded at catastrophic rates across the Plains. This ecological disaster prompted renewed interest in native grasses for soil stabilization and sustainable land management.
The species received its common name from the American bison, though the scientific name Bouteloua dactyloides honors Spanish botanist Claudio Boutelou and refers to the finger-like seed head arrangement. Early botanical surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the 1890s documented buffalo grass across 11 states, noting its exceptional drought tolerance and low growth habit. These characteristics would later make it attractive for residential lawns as water conservation became a priority.
By the 1970s, researchers at the University of Nebraska began seriously evaluating buffalo grass for turf applications. Dr. Terrance Riordan led breeding programs that resulted in the first improved cultivars released in the 1990s, including '609' and 'Texoka'. These varieties showed enhanced color, density, and uniformity compared to native ecotypes collected from prairie remnants. The work established buffalo grass as a legitimate alternative to introduced turf species for low-maintenance landscapes.
| Cultivar | Release Year | Developer | Key Improvements | Best Climate Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texoka | 1990 | Texas A&M | Heat tolerance, alkaline soil adaptation | 7-9 |
| 609 | 1990 | Texas A&M | Uniform texture, good density | 6-9 |
| Prestige | 2001 | University of Nebraska | Cold hardiness, fine texture | 3-7 |
| Legacy | 2007 | University of Nebraska | Improved color retention | 4-8 |
| UC Verde | 2009 | University of California | Salt tolerance, extended green period | 7-10 |
| Bowie | 2012 | University of Nebraska | Dense growth, weed suppression | 4-8 |
Scientific Research and Cultivar Development Programs
University breeding programs have transformed buffalo grass from a wild prairie species into refined turf cultivars suitable for residential and commercial landscapes. The University of Nebraska's program, established in 1984, collected native germplasm from 250+ sites across the Great Plains, evaluating plants for color, density, texture, and disease resistance. This genetic diversity provided the foundation for modern cultivars that significantly outperform wild-type buffalo grass.
Breeding objectives focus on extending the green period, improving establishment speed, and enhancing turf density. Traditional buffalo grass remains green for approximately 120-150 days annually in zone 5-6 climates, while improved cultivars like Legacy maintain color for 160-180 days. Researchers achieved these gains through controlled crosses between superior parent plants, followed by 5-7 years of field evaluation before commercial release. Each new cultivar undergoes testing at multiple locations across different climate zones to verify performance.
The University of California's program addressed specific challenges facing western homeowners, particularly salt accumulation in soils irrigated with marginal-quality water. UC Verde buffalo grass tolerates salinity levels up to 6,000 ppm, double the tolerance of most earlier cultivars. This characteristic proves essential in the Central Valley and Inland Empire, where groundwater contains elevated salt concentrations. The cultivar also shows improved performance in clay soils common throughout California.
Recent research at Colorado State University examines buffalo grass water use efficiency under varying irrigation regimes. Studies published in 2018 demonstrated that buffalo grass maintained acceptable quality with just 30% of the water required by Kentucky bluegrass, validating earlier claims about drought tolerance. Additional research investigates mixing buffalo grass with blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) to create diverse native lawns with extended seasonal interest. These developments continue expanding buffalo grass applications beyond traditional monoculture lawns. More practical information about specific varieties and their performance characteristics appears on our main page.
Environmental Benefits and Water Conservation Impact
Buffalo grass provides measurable environmental benefits that extend beyond individual property water savings. A typical 5,000 square foot Kentucky bluegrass lawn requires 75,000-112,500 gallons of water annually in semi-arid climates, while buffalo grass needs just 30,000-37,500 gallons—a reduction of 45,000-75,000 gallons per property. Multiplied across neighborhoods, these savings substantially reduce municipal water demand during peak summer months when supplies face greatest stress.
The deep root system improves soil structure and water infiltration, reducing runoff and erosion compared to shallow-rooted turf species. Buffalo grass roots create channels that allow rainfall to penetrate 12-18 inches into soil profiles, recharging groundwater rather than flowing into storm sewers. This characteristic makes buffalo grass valuable for bioswales and rain gardens designed to manage stormwater on-site. The grass tolerates periodic inundation followed by dry periods, adapting to the extreme moisture fluctuations typical of these applications.
Reduced fertilizer requirements minimize nutrient pollution in waterways. Buffalo grass thrives with 0-2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually, compared to 3-6 pounds for traditional turf. Excess nitrogen from lawn fertilizers contributes to algae blooms and oxygen depletion in lakes and rivers—the EPA estimates that urban landscapes contribute 40-60% of nitrogen pollution in some watersheds. Switching to buffalo grass eliminates or drastically reduces this pollution source while maintaining functional green space.
Carbon sequestration in buffalo grass lawns exceeds that of frequently-mowed traditional turf. The extensive root system stores carbon below ground, while reduced mowing means less fossil fuel consumption. A gas-powered mower produces as much pollution in one hour as driving a modern car 100-200 miles according to EPA testing. Buffalo grass requiring monthly or no mowing eliminates 20-30 hours of annual mowing time, significantly reducing emissions. These combined benefits make buffalo grass a practical tool for homeowners seeking to reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing outdoor living space. Our FAQ page addresses specific questions about maintenance requirements and long-term performance expectations.
| Impact Category | Buffalo Grass | Kentucky Bluegrass | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Use | 30,000-37,500 gal | 75,000-112,500 gal | 45,000-75,000 gal |
| Fertilizer (Nitrogen) | 0-10 lbs | 15-30 lbs | 15-20 lbs |
| Mowing Hours | 5-10 hours | 30-40 hours | 25-30 hours |
| Mower Fuel | 1-2 gallons | 8-12 gallons | 7-10 gallons |
| Pesticide Applications | 0-1 | 2-4 | 2-3 applications |
External Resources
- EPA nutrient pollution documentation — The EPA nutrient pollution documentation explains how excess nitrogen from lawn fertilizers contributes to water quality problems in lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.
- Smithsonian article on Great Plains ecology — A Smithsonian article on Great Plains ecology describes the historical dominance of buffalo grass and other short-grass prairie species before agricultural conversion.
- USDA Forest Service native grass guide — The USDA Forest Service native grass guide documents traditional uses of buffalo grass and other prairie species by Native American tribes across the Great Plains.