Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Muhly, mountain
Bé’ézhóó’

Herbarium specimen showing base of plant, stems, and inflorescence

Mountain muhly is a perennial bunchgrass with high forage value for cattle. It is a valuable forage plant because of its abundance, though it does not have high palatability. It is grazed most readily when the plants are actively growing. Mountain muhly decreases in response to trampling and heavy grazing.

It is found in grassy parklands, on slopes and foothills, on rocky, dry hillsides, in canyons, and on mesas. Mountain muhly grows during the spring and summer months and becomes semi dormant if there is midsummer drought.

Close-up of seeds, which are very wispy with long awns
Loosely branched panicles
Growth habit, which is bunchy and tufty

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