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 |
Topics: