Blue Wildrye
Elymus glaucus
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © lcunningham (iNaturalist #312567603)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Elymus
- Species:
- Elymus glaucus
- USDA Symbol:
- ELGL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crowns after fire; often increases in post-fire communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adaptable to various soil types but prefers well-drained conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify for 4-8 weeks.
Pre-treatment: Seeds may require a 10-day cold stratification treatment at 0-1°C (32-34°F) and then exposure to 22-25°C (72-77°F). However, some protocols suggest no pre-treatment is necessary. Awns must be removed from seed before sowing.
Establishment: There is some variation in the pre-treatment protocols, with some suggesting no pre-treatment is necessary while others recommend a cold stratification period. The germination rate was not provided in the protocols. Seed collection times and methods also vary, with most suggesting collection when seeds are easily stripped from the inflorescence. The species is generally found in prairies, open woods, dry to moist hills, from low to mid-montane elevations.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Seed Group (seeds)