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BUFFALO SEEDKEEPERS PROJECT

The Buffalo SeedKeepers project aims to assist Member Tribes in the development and restoration of their bison pastures. ITBC has been contracted by Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota to assemble a native seed collection crew in the Great Plains region throughout the summer of 2023. There is possibility to expand the project to other regions in the future. Any seed collected will be stored and propagated by the Park, and available to ITBC Member Tribes in the future. The long-term goal will be a native seed mix for buffalo programs that will be available for future use to the Membership. This survey is designed to assess Tribal buffalo pasture vegetation needs and specific native plants that are desired by each Tribe.

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Species List

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Western Wheatgrass

Cool season perennial grass, generally harvested late July to mid August.

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Indian Ricegrass

Cool season perennial grass. Harvest from early July to early August. 

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Needle and Thread

Cool season perennial  grass, flowers in June and seeds mature in July.

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Threadleaf Sedge

Cool season perennial sedge.  Flowers April- May. 

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Green Needlegrass

Cool season perennial grass.  Seed ripens from late June to mid July.

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Slender Wheatgrass

Cool season perennial grass.  Starts growth in mid spring, seeds mature by August to September. 

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Thickspike Wheatgrass

Cool season perennial grass.  Harvested mid July to mid August.

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Blue Grama

Warm season perennial grass. Flowers July to August.

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Prairie Junegrass

Cool season perennial grass.  Seed matures July to August.

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Sideoats Grama

Warm season perennial grass.  Flowers July to September.

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Prairie Sandreed

Warm season perennial grass. Grows rapidly in late spring and during summer.  Seed matures late September to early October.

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Little Bluestem

Warm season perennial grass. Seeds mature October to November.

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Big Bluestem

Warm season perennial grass. Harvest seed in September to October, after the seed head no longer has a creamy center.

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Buffalo Grass

Warm season perennial grass. Flowers in summer.

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Switchgrass

Warm season perennial grass. Seed Matures late summer to early fall.

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Manystem Pea

Perennial vine legume.  Blooms June through July.

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Indian Grass

Warm season perennial grass.  Matures from September to November.

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Nebraska Lupine

Perennial Legume.  Blooms April through June.

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Purple Prairie Clover

​Perennial Legume. Flowers June to August, seed matures July to September.

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Wild Bergamot

Flowers bloom from June to September.

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Missouri Goldenrod

Flowers June to October, seed ripens 6 weeks after flower bloom.

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American Pasque Flower

Potentially able to collect in early June

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Purple Coneflower

Flowers bloom from June to July.

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