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Plant Profile  
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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

 

 

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