Basin Wildrye
Leymus cinereus
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com) from Bozeman, Montana, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Leymus
- Species:
- Leymus cinereus
- USDA Symbol:
- LECI4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from deep rhizomes after fire. Often increases in cover following burns in sagebrush steppe.
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:
- Thrives in open, dry habitats; drought-tolerant
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with cold stratification. Light not required for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 6 to 12 days. A short prechill decreases germination time. Use of gibberellic acid combined with 16 weeks stratification can improve germination.
Establishment: Fertilizer application is not recommended in the first year as it stimulates weed growth. Germination rates and times can vary depending on the source of the seed and the specific treatments applied. Germination may occur most readily in the spring.
Source: npn.rngr.net