Snake River Wheatgrass
Elymus wawawaiensis
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © sedgequeen (iNaturalist #18278386)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Elymus
- Species:
- Elymus wawawaiensis
- USDA Symbol:
- ELWA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
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; used in post-fire restoration seed mixes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to dry, open slopes and ridges
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify for 30-60 days.
Pre-treatment: For dryland seedings with less than 16 inches mean annual precipitation, fall dormant seedings are preferred. Dryland plantings in areas receiving 18 or more inches of annual precipitation should be sown in the spring. In areas receiving 16-18 inches of precipitation, either spring or fall seedings can be made. Irrigated seedings may be made at any time. No pretreatment required for container propagation.
Establishment: Seed ripens in mid to late July in the Pullman area. It is collected when the inflorescence begins to dry and the seed is in the soft to hard dough stage but before it shatters from the inflorescence. Seed can be stripped from the inflorescence or the inflorescence can be clipped from the plant. Harvested seed is stored in paper bags at room temperature until cleaned.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Seed Group (seeds)