Riverbank Wildrye

Elymus riparius

Riverbank Wildrye

Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA NRCS. 1995. Northeast wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. Northeast National Technical Center, Chester. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute.

Taxonomy

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

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
4-6 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade, Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jul
Bloom Colors:
Yellow

Native Range

United States: Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Ontario, Quebec

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:
moist, fertile, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers riparian zones and floodplains

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: De-awned seed is planted into propagation 38 trays, greenhouse flat liners with 38 2.1 " diameter by 2.2" deep round cells per liner, filled with coarse processed bark and composted pine bark growing medium. Seed is surface sown at a rate of 3-5 seeds per cell and lightly covered with starter sized, 1/16" - 1/8" diameter, granite poultry grit to combat damping off diseases.

Source: npn.rngr.net