Buffelgrass is a highly invasive plant species that can cause major problems for native plants and wildlife and our desert ecosystem. Buffelgrass is native to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and was brought to the U.S. in the 1930s to serve as food for cattle and control erosion. It grows quickly and is highly drought tolerant, which makes it very hard to get rid of. At Complete Landscaping, our landscape contractors in Tucson, AZ have extensive knowledge of native and non-native plant species. We specialize in landscape design and installation using sustainable, native plants and desert-friendly plants. We can help you control dangerous, invasive, non-native plants like Buffelgrass. Learn more about Buffelgrass here and call us if you need help controlling Buffelgrass on your property.
What is Buffelgrass?
Buffelgrass is a species of grass native to Africa, southern Asia, southern Iran, and southernmost Europe. It is highly adaptable and spreads quickly, causing it to escape from its original planting areas and spread to unwanted areas like residential and commercial properties, roadsides, and city and national parks. Buffelgrass is currently a problem in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, Florida, New York, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In the Sonoran Desert, Buffelgrass is a highly invasive weed and is considered noxious.
Why is Buffelgrass a Problem?
Buffelgrass is a problem because it is highly invasive and threatens the ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert. Because it germinates and spreads so quickly, it can rapidly invade areas and quickly threaten their ecological integrity. The biggest issues caused by Buffelgrass are:
- Fire risks
- Competition with native plants
- Loss of habitat for desert species
- Threat to wildlife and their habitats
- Labor and financial costs associated with Buffelgrass removal and control
How Do I Know if I Have Buffelgrass?
Buffelgrass is dense and messy looking. It looks like a clump of bright green, brown, tan, or white grass with bottlebrush-shaped flower stalks that are reddish-purple when they are young and turn brown when they are mature. Its central stem is thick and rough and parts of it have small, sticky hairs.
What Should I Do if I See Buffelgrass?
If you see a small patch of Buffelgrass on your property, you can remove it by hand. For larger patches, you should contact us for landscape maintenance and Buffelgrass removal services. We will remove the Buffelgrass and apply herbicide to keep it from returning. If you see Buffelgrass on public land, you can report it to park rangers or the appropriate land management agency.
Protect Your Property from Buffelgrass
If you see Buffelgrass on your property, our certified landscaping contractors at Complete Landscaping can help. We have over 100 years of combined experience in landscape design, landscape construction, plant care, native landscaping, and landscape maintenance. We can determine if your property has a Buffelgrass problem and look for signs of other invasive or dangerous non-native plants. We offer Buffelgrass control and prevention services, as well as Buffelgrass removal. We can help you replace Buffelgrass with other beautiful, sustainable, native plants. Call us today at (520) 214-2651 or contact us online to schedule a consultation for landscape design or landscape maintenance in Tucson, AZ.