Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Mutton grass
Tł’ohnikání

Bunchy growth habit, erect stalks, and panicles
Patrick Alexander

Mutton grass is a perennial bunchgrass that is rated as excellent forage for cattle and horses. It is also good forage for sheep, elk, and deer. During the winter, seedheads are eaten by pronghorn antelope. Seeds and leaves are also utilized by birds.

The fibrous root system of this species reaches a depth of approximately 10 inches, providing good surface erosion control in arid sites.

It can be used to restore areas where juniper encroachment has depleted the herbaceous understory following juniper removal. The species is drought tolerant and has potential for use in restoration and native plant diversification projects.

Close-up showing reddish-green seeds on a spikelet
Patrick Alexander
Bunch growth habit
Patrick Alexander
Bunch growth habit with a nice view of the somewhat spreading structure of the panicles
Patrick Alexander
Spikelet with distinctive arrangement of seeds in a tight formation
Patrick Alexander
Scientific Name
Poa fendleriana
Plant Type
Grass / Grasslike
Growing Season
Warm Season
Habitat
Grasslands
✓
Good livestock and wildlife forage
For definitions, see the glossary.

Copyright 2018 New Mexico State University. Individual photographers retain all rights to their images. Partially funded by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (westernsare.org; 435.797.2257), project EW15-023. Programs and projects supported by Western SARE are equally open to all people. NMSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer..

NMSU does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation or protected veteran status in its programs and activities as required by equal opportunity/affirmative action regulations and laws and university policy and rules. For more information please read the NMSU Notice of Non-discrimination (opens in new window).