 |
Western Wheatgrass
Grass Family ( Poaceae : Triticeae )
Latin Name : Agropyron smithii
Longevity : Perennial
Season : Cool
Origin : Native
Value : Wildlife – fair
Livestock -good
Remarks :
This strongly rhizomatous grass is stiffly erect. The
leaf blades are rough textured. The seeds on the spike-
type seedhead overlaps the next by one-half their
length. Western wheatgrass appears blue-green in
color, growing in colonies. Produces new growth from
axillary buds at the basal nodes of the stems and at the
rhizomes. Becomes dormant during the hot summer
months; greens up in the fall if moisture is available.
Reproduces from seed and from rhizomes. This grass
is a valuable forage for livestock and wildlife. It cures
well on the stem, making it valuable winter forage.
Grows best on clay loam soils. Also adapted to well-
drained bottomland soils and tolerates alkaline and
saline conditions.
Source: USDA-NRCS
|
