buffalo grass, noun phrase

Origin:
Afrikaans, EnglishShow more Perhaps translation of Afrikaans buffelsgras, buffel buffalo + linking phoneme -s- + gras grass; or English, see quotation 1966.
1. Any of several broad-leafed fodder or lawn grasses of the Poaceae (subfamily Panicoideae): a. Any of several species of the genus Panicum. See also sense 2 below. b. Stenotaphrum secundatum; coarse quick, see quick sense 2; coastal buffalo grass, see sense 2 below; grove quick, see quick sense 2; quick sense 1 b; seaside quick, see quick sense 2. c. Any of several species of the genus Setaria. In all senses also called buffelgras or buffelsgras (see buffel sense 1 b).
1868 J. Chapman Trav. II. 457The Buffalo-grass has a large broad, corrugated leaf, and is greedily eaten by horses and cattle.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 34Buffalo [grass], Stenotaphrum glabrum,..Setaria sulcata,..Panicum laevifolium (Buffelgras),..Panicum hirsutissimum.
1918 J.W. Bews Grasses & Grasslands of S. Afr. 158P[anicum] hirsutissimum Buffalo Grass...P. laevifolium Buffalo Grass, or Old Land’s Grass.
1918 J.W. Bews Grasses & Grasslands of S. Afr. 160S[etaria] sulcata Buffalo Grass.
1955 L.K.A. Chippindall in D. Meredith Grasses & Pastures 9The common names of grasses in South Africa are best described as a menace...Their popularity seems to increase in proportion to the welter of confusion surrounding appellations such as..‘Buffalo Grass’ or ‘Buffelsgras’.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 181Buffalo(quick)grass, A vernacular name applied to several grasses which were said to be grazed by the buffalo.
1971 J.P. Botha in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. IV. 602Among the useful fodder grasses of the veld are..rooigras..; panic or buffalo-grasses (genus Panicum);..Bushman grasses.
1987 Fair Lady 18 Feb. 93I walked around the house..when I saw the overturned dustbin...I..baulked at the teabags and orange peels on the buffalo grass around the door.
1991 G.E. Gibbs Russell et al. Grasses of Sn Afr. 314Stenotaphrum secundatum...Buffalo grass.
1992 H. Hutchings in Weekend Post 24 Oct. (Leisure) 7Fine lawns such as kweek can be cut to a length of about 10mm, whereas coarser grasses like kikuyu and buffalo should not be less than 25mm to 30mm.
2. With distinguishing epithet designating a particular species of buffalo grass:
blue buffalo grass, skaapplaas sense a;
coastal buffalo grass, Stenotaphrum secundatum (see sense 1 b above);
elbow buffalo grass, Panicum subalbidum;
Natal buffalo grass, P. natalense;
small buffalo grass, P. coloratum;
sweet buffalo grass, P. schinzii;
white buffalo grass, P. coloratum.
1971 J.P. Botha in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. IV. 603Blue buffalo-grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is palatable and strongly drought-resistant.
1986 Farmer’s Weekly 25 July 49Blue buffalo grass (Molopo strain), Cenchrus ciliaris, is a drought-resistant type, which does well in low-rainfall areas with warm to hot climate.
1992 F.P. Van Oudtshoorn Guide to Grasses 76Cenchrus ciliaris, Blue Buffalo Grass.
1992 F.P. Van Oudtshoorn Guide to Grasses 122Stenotaphrum secundatum, Coastal Buffalo Grass...Commonly used for course lawns.
1991 G.E. Gibbs Russell et al. Grasses of Sn Afr. 242Panicum subalbidum...Elbow buffalo grass.
1991 G.E. Gibbs Russell et al. Grasses of Sn Afr. 240Panicum natalense...Natal buffalo grass.
1990 Skinner & Smithers Mammals of Sn Afr. Subregion 685They (sc. buffalo) are selective feeders in the rainy season..with preference for grasses such as red grass,..small buffalo grass, Panicum coloratum; buffalo grass, P. maximum.
1902 D. Van Warmelo On Commando 77Our horses often grazed on the sweet buffalo grass that always grows under the trees.
1992 F.P. Van Oudtshoorn Guide to Grasses 241Panicum schinzii, Sweet Buffalo Grass...It is..good for making hay and silage.
1991 G.E. Gibbs Russell et al. Grasses of Sn Afr. 236Panicum coloratum...White buffalo grass.
1992 F.P. Van Oudtshoorn Guide to Grasses 236Panicum coloratum,..White Buffalo Grass...Preferred by white rhinoceros, roan, buffalo and reedbuck.
Any of several species of the genus Panicum.
Stenotaphrum secundatum; coarse quick, see quick sense 2; coastal buffalo grass, see sense 2 below; grove quick, see quick sense 2; quick sense 1 b; seaside quick, see quick sense 2.
Any of several species of the genus Setaria. In all senses also called buffelgras or buffelsgras (see buffel sense 1 b).
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buffalo, nounn.buffel, nounn.
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