Parry's Oatgrass
Danthonia parryi
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © jferc555 (iNaturalist #320925094)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Danthonia
- Species:
- Danthonia parryi
- USDA Symbol:
- DAPA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Tolerates fire; can resprout from basal crowns after low-severity burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold moist stratification for 30-60 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Germination occurs at 18 C
Establishment: Seed cleaning is slow and tedious, requiring removal with tweezers. Found from Alberta to New Mexico, from sagebrush hills to treeline in the mountains.
Source: npn.rngr.net