canada wildrye close up

Canada Wildrye – Plant

LATIN NAME
Elymus Canadensis

LONGEVITY
Perennial

SEASON
Cool

ORIGIN
Native

DETAILS:

  • Often confused with Virginia Wildrye (Elymus virginicus). The base of the glumes on Canada Wildrye is “V” shaped and longer awns (⅜-1 ¼ in) whereas Virginia Wildrye will have glumes that are “U” shaped and shorter awns (3/16-¾ in).
  • Canada Wildrye grows abundantly on prairie sites, but is also found in shaded areas on bottomland sites.
  • Best adapted to medium-textured soils, but grows on most all types of prairie soils.
  • Found in abundance along roadsides and protected areas, which indicates that it is a decreaser on prairie sites.
  • Very palatable and readily eaten by all classes of livestock.

QUALITY TRAITS