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Morphology
- Culm
- Erect, solitary or in small clusters, hollow, waxy, glabrous.
- Blades
- Flat or rolled inward, 4 to 10 inches long, to 1/4 inch wide, rigid, bluish green waxy, rough above, prominently veined; tips tapered to sharp points.
- Sheath
- Shorter than internodes, open, glabrous or rough; auricles conspicuous.
- Ligule
- Short, membranous, notched or minutely fringed.
- Inflorescence
- Spikes, erect, 2-sided, 3 to 8 inches long.
- Spikelets
- Solitary or sometimes 2 per node, flattened, waxy, 1/2 to 1 inch long, overlapping, 3-12-flowered; glumes unequal; glume and lemma tips pointed, occasionally awned.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Moist to dry prairies, waste areas, ditch banks and roadsides, most abundant in fine-textured alkaline soils.
- Distribution
- Throughout Kansas.
Practical Information
- Forage Value
- Western wheatgrass is nutritious for livestock and is readily grazed during the early growth stage. It makes good quality, high-protein hay when cut during the late-bloom stage.
Additional Notes
Comments
Western wheatgrass is strongly rhizomatous and often forms loose sod. It produces seed in the spring and goes dormant in mid-summer. It sometimes grows again in the fall if soil moisture is adequate
Synonyms
Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.
Scientific Name: Agropyron smithii
Full Citation: Agropyron smithii Rydb.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Grass
- Family
- Poaceae - Grass Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 1-3 feet
- Last Updated
- 2007-09-09
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: June, July, August, September