Indian Ricegrass
Eriocoma hymenoides
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © codyblackketter (iNaturalist #117737730)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Eriocoma
- Species:
- Eriocoma hymenoides
- USDA Symbol:
- ACHY
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from base after fire; historically maintained by periodic fire in sagebrush-steppe and Great Basin ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification; germinates readily in spring when soil temperatures are cool.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold stratification. Germination occurs at 15D/5N C alternating temperature cycle. Germination was greater in light than dark.
Establishment: Very few viable Achnatherum hymenoides Rimrock seeds germinated in this study, regardless of temperature treatment. Two of the seedlots had 0% germination in all treatments, while one seedlot showed low (5-7%) germination when exposed to winter conditions and early- or mid-spring temperatures.
Source: npn.rngr.net