Formerly Elymus junceus. Cool season, perennial bunchgrass with an extensive horizontal root system. Adapted a wide range of soil textures and infertile soils; moderately saline and alkaline tolerant. Very drought tolerant, surviving with as little as 8 in. annual precipitation. Cold hardy. May be difficult to establish, but extremely competitive and long-lived thereafter. Starts growth in early spring, produces abundant green basal leave forage. Excellent palatability and can be grazed from late summer through winter, retaining its protein content even when cured. Tolerant of heavy grazing and regrows quickly. Most of the forage sits low in the basal leaves; unsuited for hay production. Use also for arid rangelands, dryland pasture, green strips and fuel breaks. Varieties listed below.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Poaceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Graminoid

Native Status: Introduced

Season: Cool

Growth Form: Bunchgrass

Mature Height: 36 in.

Annual Precipitation: 10-45 in.

Drought Tolerance: High

Shade Tolerance: Intolerant

Elevation:

Wetland Indicator Status:UPL/FAC

Fire Resistance: No

Fire Tolerance: Medium

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: No

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: Yes

Salinity Tolerance: Medium

CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

pH Range: 6.5-9.0

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 162,600

Seeding Rate: 5-10 PLS lbs/acre

Season: Fall

Days to Germination: