Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - August 06, 2014

From: Katy, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: When does Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss) go to seed in southern US?
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

When does Bouteloua dactyloides go to seed in the southern United States, mainly Texas?

ANSWER:

The easy part of the answer is:  Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss) sets seed about 2 weeks after it blooms.  The difficult part of the answer is:  It can bloom beginning in April and bloom opportunistically when conditions are right until the first frost.  Depending on the location that could be as late as November or December.  In their book, Grasses of the Texas Hill Country, the Loflins say:  "Bloom time starts in April and sets seed shortly after flowering up to the first frost.  In some regions it produces seed throughout the year."

 

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Making a pollinator garden
August 11, 2014 - Hello, I have a ditch right by my house and I want to turn it into a pollinator garden using native plants. My problem is, right now it's so full of weeds that we have to mow those down so soon. For ...
view the full question and answer

Plants to prevent erosion on slope in Texas
June 19, 2010 - We have an erosion problem developing on the low side of a gently sloping hill. We are in clay soil at the base of the hill with oaks and pines. We have a right of way that is without trees forty fee...
view the full question and answer

Advice on grasses under walnut trees
May 28, 2010 - Little advice on grasses: I am prepared to plant zoysia under two walnut trees. Forgot about juglone-is this a good idea?
view the full question and answer

Grass information for Brooksville FL
July 31, 2010 - Do you have any suggestions of seeding rates,row spacing, or size of plugs for restoration of Panicum rigidulum or Panicum abscissum? Basically interested in a pasture planting with cutthroat gras...
view the full question and answer

Grasses for area under pecan tree in Tennessee
March 26, 2009 - I have two big pecan trees in my yard and would like to know what kind of grasses would thrive in the shade and also survive for my area of the country.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.