The
Plains Grassland in Arizona is an extension of the Great Plains that extend throughout
much of central North America. The plains are dominated by grasses and can be
divided into subregions based upon the height of the dominant grass species. Our
subset of the Plains Grassland is dominated by little bluestem, (Schizachyrium
scoparium), big bluestem,
(Andropogon gerardii), buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), and sideoats
grama grass (Bouteloua
curtipendula). Shrubs
are usually low growing and often associated with rock ledges. Some common shrubs
are little sagebrush (Artemisia
arbuscula) and whipple's cholla (Cylindropuntia
whipplei). In overgrazed areas, snakeweed (Gutierrezia
sarothrae) and russian thistle (Salsoa
tragus), are common.
