Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses

CANADA WILD RYE

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Elymus canadensis L.

Riley County, Kansas

Perennial

Height: 3-6 feet

Family: Poaceae - Grass Family

Flowering Period: July, August

Culms:

Erect, slender to stout, hollow, glabrous, green or blue-green waxy.

Blades:

Flat or rolled inward, 4-16 inches long, .25 to .5 inch wide, slightly narrowed toward bases, midrib prominent beneath, rough or bristly-hairy above; margins fine-toothed; tips tapered to fine points.

Sheaths:

Mostly longer than internodes, rounded, usually glabrous; auricles prominent, finger-like, clasping.

Ligules:

Short, membranous, entire or notched.

Inflorescences:

Spikes, dense, erect or nodding, 3-12 inches long, occasionally interrupted below, terminal.

Spikelets:

1-4 per node, overlapping, slightly spreading, sessile, 2-7-flowered; glumes equal, shorter than first lemma; lemma awns .5 to 1.5 inch long, outward curving at maturity.

Habitat:

Moist or dry open prairies, stream banks, ditches, and disturbed areas, more abundant on sandy or rocky soils.

Distribution:

Throughout Kansas.

Toxicity:

Ergot can infest the inflorescence and is potentially dangerous to livestock.

Forage Value:

Canada wild rye is very palatable and nutritious and is readily grazed by livestock. The forage value decreases with age.

Comments:

Tufted. Sometimes called "nodding wild rye" because of the arching heads. It is winter hardy and grows as far north as southern Alaska.

Canada wild rye