How to Identify Buffelgrass

Green buffelgrass often has reddish to purple seedheads. These seedheads turn golden as the plant dries.

NPS Photo

Check out the information from the Desert Musuem for detailed information and ID guides on Buffelgrass.

Buffelgrass is a perennial grass that grows in dense, messy-looking clumps. It sprouts new green (typically lime green) growth with adequate moisture and produces bottlebrush-like flowers. The flowers are red or purple when they are young and turn tan as they mature.

When the plant is dormant, it turns golden and may appear dead (don’t be fooled!). Another distinctive characteristic is that the stem where the seeds are attached to (the rachis) is rough and zigzagged.

For those interested in identifying and removing Buffelgrass, here is additional information on how to do so.