Describe two kinds of plants that are common or unique in the temperate grasslands. What do they do? What is their role in the temperate grasslands? How have they adapted to survive in the temperate grasslands?

Buffalo grass is a perennial grass about 2-5 inches tall. It's stem is circular and hollow with green, curly leaves sprouting from the top. Buffalo grass come in both male and female. The grass has roots that can reach five feet below the ground. Buffalo grass is commonly used in turf-areas.

Buffalo grass is very important in the temperate grasslands as well as many other areas. Buffalo grass is the main source of food to many animals such as livestock, prairie dogs, buffalo (hence the name buffalo), and white tailed deer. Without the buffalo grass in the environment, many animals would have a much harder time finding food, reducing themselves in number. Those animals' predators would also lose their main or an important food source, also reducing themselves in number. In the worst case scenario, all of the animals could die, ruining the community.

Buffalo grass have adapted to the temperate grasslands by keeping their growing parts under the ground. By doing this, the overall plant is protected from forest fires and lightning.

Have you ever seen buffalo grass in turf-areas or elsewhere?

Written by Bomi

Information from:
http://biology.about.com/od/landbiomes/a/aa042106a.htm
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/buffalo_grass.htm
Pictures from: (in chronological order)
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/56/6956-004-0B3F03D5.jpg
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/buffalo_grass.jpg