The key another name for buffalo grass is Bouteloua dactyloides. That's the current scientific name. You'll also see an older name, Buchloe dactyloides, in many books and seed catalogs that haven't been updated yet.
I learned why these names matter the hard way. When I first ordered buffalo grass online, I got an Australian variety by mistake. Australians call St. Augustine grass "buffalo grass" in their market. These two species look different, grow different, and need different climates. Using the buffalo grass scientific name when you order is the only sure way to get the right plant for your yard.
The switch from Buchloe dactyloides to Bouteloua dactyloides came from DNA testing. Scientists found that buffalo grass shares more genes with grama grasses than they first thought. So they moved it into the Bouteloua family. NC State Extension now uses the new name. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden still lists the old one. Both names refer to the same grass, but Bouteloua dactyloides is the one you should use today.
Current Scientific Name
- Name: Bouteloua dactyloides is what NC State Extension and modern plant guides use for this grass now.
- Family: It sits with blue grama and side-oats grama based on DNA proof that these grasses are close kin.
- Shopping tip: Always use this name when you order from nurseries so you get the right species.
Old Scientific Name
- Name: Buchloe dactyloides was the old label for this grass and you still see it in many older sources.
- Why it changed: DNA tests proved buffalo grass fits better with Bouteloua species than its old group.
- Still around: Some seed sellers and extension offices haven't swapped to the new name in their listings.
Common Nicknames
- Poor man's grass: A popular tag across the Great Plains that points to the low cost of keeping this lawn alive.
- Prairie grass: Used in casual talk across Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma to describe native buffalo grass stands.
- Warning: Don't mix up with Australian buffalo grass, which is a whole other species called St. Augustine here.
Beyond the buffalo grass scientific name, you'll hear several casual tags for this grass. Great Plains folks call it prairie grass in everyday talk. Others know it as poor man's grass because it costs so little to keep alive. These nicknames work fine in your backyard chat but won't help you at a garden center when you need to buy the right product.
When you shop for buffalo grass, ask for Bouteloua dactyloides by name. You can also request a named type like Prestige, Legacy, or Bison. This keeps you safe from the Australian mix-up. Check the plant tag or seed label for the scientific name before you pay. If the label doesn't show it, walk away and find a seller who lists it for you.
Read the full article: Buffalo Grass Care and Growing Guide
