Texas Wildrye
Elymus interruptus
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © blacknbluesa1 (iNaturalist #220154362)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Elymus
- Species:
- Elymus interruptus
- USDA Symbol:
- ELIN6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Benjaminiola colorada, Burdock Borer (Papaipema cataphracta), Cosmiotes illectella, Elachista leucofrons, Faronta albilinea, Faronta diffusa, Mesapamea stipata, Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal crown following fire, typical of prairie bunch grasses.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers open, sunny habitats with minimal competition.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination rates. Seeds may germinate without stratification but at lower rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI