WANTED: Buffelgrass– DEAD and GONE

What Is It?

Buffelgrass (pennisetum ciliare) is an invasive plant originally from Africa, which was imported into Arizona in the 1930s as livestock forage. It is speading rapidly has radically invaded about a third of the Sonoran Desert.

Why Is It Bad?

• Listed as a noxious weed, buffelgrass crowds out and kills native plants. It poses a significant danger to the desert, threatening to turn it into a savanna.

• Buffelgrass can fuel devestating fires. It burns at 1300-1400 degrees (compared to other plants which burn at 600-800 degrees), with flames up to 20′ high.

I Don’t Want the Desert Taken Over By Flammable Grass! What Can I Do?

• Kill it! Pull buffelgrass where you see it. Start with your yard, street and neighborhood, or your workplace.

• Schedule a buffelgrass presentation at your neighborhood association or community group. Then, you can work on removing buffelgrass in your area.

• Volunteer to manually remove buffelgrass and other invasive species in public areas with the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers every 3rd Saturday of the month or on Wednesday mornings.

Who Do I Contact To Volunteer or Find a Speaker?

A good contact is Marilyn Hanson, Volunteer Coordinator for the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers. She can be reached by e-mail at mfhanson@comcast.net.

 Where Can I Find More Information About Buffelgrass?

• The Arizona Native Plant Society Invasives

• Citizen Scientists Combat Invasive Species

• Buffelgrass Information Center