A native perennial growing in bunches from 3-5 feet tall. The stout stems, leaves and leaf sheaths are usually smooth and hairless (C). Broad leaves up to 15 inches long and 1/2 inch wide have prominent auricles, which clasp the back of the stem (C). Large arching flower spikes are 3-7 inches long (A,B). The flowers have long awns which characteristically diverge or curve backward when they mature, giving the spike a shaggy appearance (D).
Prairies, ditches, open woods and disturbed sites. In Fontenelle Forest, Canada Wild Rye is common in the floodplain prairie planting east of the blind and uncommon in the old prairie planting on History Trail. At Neale Woods it is common in the Knull and Nebraska Prairie restorations. Flowering occurs in July and August.
Hairy wild rye (Elymus villosus) has similar nodding spikes, but the awns are straight, not curved and twisted like those of Canada Wild Rye and the spikes are smaller. Also, Hairy Wild Rye is almost always found in shadier woodland or woodland edge habitat. Virginia wild rye (Elymus virginicus) has straight spikes that usually are partly enclosed in the upper leaves and its awns are straight.
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