WESTERN WHEATGRASS

WESTERN WHEATGRASS

Elymus smithii
GRASS FAMILY (Poaceae)

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Strongly rhizomatous native perennial with stems from 1-3 feet tall. The waxy stem and leaves have a distinctive bluish coloration (B), and the stiff, narrow leaf blades are usually rolled inward on the edges. Prominent ridged veins on the upper surface (C) feel rough to the touch. The auricles are usually prominent. The flower cluster is an erect 2-8 inch spike consisting of a double row of alternating, overlapping spikelets (A).

Prairies, roadsides, ditches, waste areas. In Fontenelle Forest, Western Wheatgrass is uncommon in the planting along the Gifford Memorial Boardwalk near the Wetlands Learning Center. It is uncommon at Neale Woods along Gifford Trail in lower Jonas Prairie. It also is present in the ditch on River Road adjacent to the Krimlofski Tract parking lot where it was planted when the road was resurfaced. Flowering occurs from June to August.

Quackgrass (Elymus repens) has a similar spike with overlapping spikelets, but its leaves are flat, dark green and not prominently ridged. The spike of Tall Wheatgrass (Elymus elongatus) is open with more widely separated spikelets.

The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Neal Ratzlaff.