Canada Wildrye

Elymus canadensis

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Elymus
Species:
Elymus canadensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
6-8 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may, jun
Bloom Colors:
Yellow, Green, Brown
Lawn Substitute:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Benjaminiola colorada, Burdock Borer (Papaipema cataphracta), Cosmiotes illectella, Elachista leucofrons, Faronta albilinea, Faronta diffusa, Mesapamea stipata, Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
fertile, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage preferred
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
thrives in open, sunny areas

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification during winter months or dry stored for spring germination. No treatment is also an option.

Establishment: Seed is collected by hand from locally native plants within the eastern central Upper Peninsula. Germination occurs the following spring. The greenhouse holds plants at all stages of growth so the temperature setting stays the same for all plants at all stages of growth.

Source: npn.rngr.net