Southeastern Wildrye
Elymus virginicus
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © zihaowang (iNaturalist #53229089)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Elymus
- Species:
- Elymus virginicus
- USDA Symbol:
- ELGL3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Bronzed Cutworm (Nephelodes minians), Elachista leucofrons, false wainscot (Leucania pseudargyria), glassy cutworm (Apamea devastator), Leucania phragmitidicola
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- tan
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the base after fire. Tolerates prescribed burns typical of prairie and savanna management.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification. Can also be fall-sown for natural stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI