Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Alfalfa

Description

Medicago sativa L., alfalfa, is a long-lived perennial legume. Flowers vary in color from purple to yellow and are borne in loose clusters. Pods of alfalfa range from the sickle type to those that are twisted into spirals.

Each pod contains several small kidneyshaped seeds. Alfalfa’s stems are erect and grow from a woody crown to about 2 to 3 feet tall. New growth occurs from buds in the crown. The plant has a tap root which may penetrate deep into the soil. Leaves are alternately arranged on the stem and are normally trifoliate.

Species Guides - Grasses

Texas bluegrass

Description

Grass Family (Poaceae). Texas bluegrass is a native, coolseason, rhizomatous perennial. The height ranges from 10 to 20 inches. The leaf blade is mostly basal, long, narrow, and boat shaped at the end. The seedhead is a narrow panicle with somewhat compressed 2 to 4 inches long and male and female spikelets on the same plant.

Species Guides - Grasses

Orchardgrass

Description

Dactylis glomerata, orchardgrass, is a long-lived, introduced, cool season bunchgrass. Under dryland conditions, it usually develops distinct clumps and flower culms 15 to 18 inches tall. Leaves usually stand less than 12 inches in height. When grown under irrigation or in moist-fertile situations, it attains a much larger stature and grows in a more closed stand. Orchardgrass is one of the earliest species to initiate growth in the spring and makes tremendous growth during cool conditions.

Species Guides - Grasses

American beachgrass

Description

General: Grass Family (Poaceae). American beachgrass, is a leafy, spreading, rhizomatous, native, bunch grass with many stems per clump. It may reach a height of two to three feet. The seed head is a spikelike panicle, about ten inches long, and appears in late July or August. Leaves are long and narrow, and may become rolled or folded as it matures.

Species Guides - Grasses

Bermudagrass

Description of Bermudagrass

Bermudagrass, is of probable Asian origin and was documented as an important grass in the United States by 1807. It is a long-lived, warm season perennial that spreads by rhizomes, stolons, and seed. Stems are leafy, branched, and 4 to 6 inches tall. Under favorable conditions, stems may be 12 to 18 inches high. Stems are short jointed. Leaves are flat and spreading. The ligule is a circle of white hairs. Leaves may be hairy or smooth. Seedheads are usually in one whorl of 3 to 7 spikes, each about 1 to 2-1/2 inches long. Some robust forms may have up to 10 spikes in 2 whorls.

Species Guides - Grasses

American sloughgrass

General: Grass Family (Poaceae). American sloughgrass is a cool season annual or short lived perennial grass that is commonly found in shallow marshes or sloughs.

Species Guides - Grasses

Crested wheatgrass

Description

General: Grass Family (Poaceae). Within the crested wheatgrasses, three species are currently recognized: Fairway or crested (Agropyron cristatum), standard or desert (Agropyron desertorum), and Siberian (Agropyron fragile). Fairway has short-broad spikes that taper at the top, smaller seeds, grows shorter, and has finer leaves and stems than standard.

Species Guides - Grasses

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Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Alfalfa

Texas bluegrass

Orchardgrass

American beachgrass

Bermudagrass

Description of Bermudagrass

American sloughgrass

Crested wheatgrass

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