Plant of the Month: December, 1998

by Russell Stevens

Western Wheatgrass
Elytrigia smithii

Characteristics: A native cool-season perennial occurring primarily on low, moist areas such as flood plains, but occasionally found on drier upland sites. An erect plant reaching nearly three feet in height with ribbed, stiffly ascending leaf blades. Spikelets on the inflorescence overlap each other by one-half their length. Western wheatgrass is generally blue-green in appearance.

Area of Importance: Western Oklahoma and Texas.

Attributes: Western wheatgrass can spread by rhizomes as well as seed. It begins growth in the fall but produces the most forage in the spring. It produces quality forage for grazing and haying. It provides relatively little value to wildlife in most areas.

I.D. Tip: The leaf blades are stiff, rough-textured and have raised veins. Its bluish- colored stems and leaves make it easy to distinguish from other coolseason native grasses.

Hundreds of plants are identified in the Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery.