Squirreltail
Elymus elymoides
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © gambolingquail (iNaturalist #265653353)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Elymus
- Species:
- Elymus elymoides
- USDA Symbol:
- ELEL5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal buds following fire. Short-lived bunchgrass that often establishes quickly after disturbance.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in fall or after cold stratification. Light not required for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds placed in 32-34°F for a 10-day cold stratification treatment and then exposed to 72-77°F. Alternatively, seeds can be subjected to six temperature treatments intended to represent different seed sowing times and locations in the Colorado Plateau.
Establishment: Elymus elymoides is a widespread North american species found in dry soil and roadshoulders in prairies and open forests. Propagation collection varies from wildland collection to hand collection into paper yard bags to purchased seeds. Germination rates and times may vary based on pre-treatment and establishment protocols.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 weeks, then place @ 20C.