Canada Wildrye

Plant Profile
FYUSE Image	Common Name: Canada Wildrye Species Name: Elymus canadensis Plant Type: Grasses & Grass-like Family Name: Poaceae, Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae, Wheat Tribe


Plant Facts
Origin	Native
Duration	Perennial
Season	Cool
Distribution in the U.S.	Everywhere but the extreme southeast
Distribution in Oklahoma	Dominant in the northern tallgrass prairie

ID Characteristics

Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Purplish, clasping auricles
- Upper leaf surface rough
Floral
- Large, nodding seed heads with no branches (spike)
- Glumes flat and straight with narrow bases
- Long awns give bristly “tail” appearance
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Plant Height: 50-120 centimeters
- Ligule Type: Membranous
- Sheath: Glabrous
- Leaves: Cauline
Floral Characteristics
- Inflorescence Type: Spike
- Florets Per Spikelet: 3-4
- Glumes: Unequal


Habitat/Ecology
Soil Type	Sand, silt, clay, gravel
Habitat	Open sites in prairies, along streams and in disturbed areas
Successional Stage	Mid to late