Elymus smithii

Common Names

Western Wheatgrass, Pubescent Wheatgrass, Western Wheat Grass, Western-Wheat Grass

Summary

Western wheatgrass is a strongly rhizomatous perennial grass native to sagebrush deserts and mesic alkaline meadows across western and central North America, forming culms 20–100 cm tall with bluish-glaucous leaves 2–26 cm long and 1–4.5 mm wide, often purple auricles, and a ligule about 0.1 mm; the inflorescence is a 5–17 cm spike with spikelets 12–26 mm long, and the species is allo-octoploid with 2n=56, capable of forming large pure stands in sandy, alkaline habitats and tolerating saline or poorly drained soils, moderately severe drought, and very cold conditions.

In cultivation, it is used for grazing, rangeland, and hayland, with spring forage quality typically high and decreasing with maturity, and it provides erosion control and soil stabilization due to aggressive rhizomes and compatibility with other native species; it can serve as ground cover in urban areas with limited irrigation. Establishment requires drilling seeds at shallow depths (heavier soils 3/4–1/2 inch; lighter soils 1/2–1/4 inch) at about 8 PLS lb per acre (24 PLS per sq ft), with best results from early spring or late fall sowing and stands typically developing by year four or five.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

0.5-3.5 feet

Spread

2-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Adaptable to diverse soils—from sandy to heavy clay—with pH 6.0–9.0 and tolerance of saline and alkaline conditions, including dry, alkaline and medium-to-fine textured soils.

Soil Drainage

Dry, well-drained soils

Soil pH

6.0-9.0, Alkaline (high pH) soils

Bloom Color

Green to tan

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Glaucous

Fall Foliage Color

Brown

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division (via rhizomes)

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies, birds