bluebunch wheatgrass
Pseudoroegneria spicata
Also known as: bluebunch wheatgrass
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
T9500
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Pseudoroegneria
- Species:
- Pseudoroegneria spicata
- USDA Symbol:
- PSSP6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from tillers after fire; fire can reduce litter and promote seedling establishment.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold moist stratification for 30-60 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Seeds can be placed in 0-1°C (32-34°F) for a 10-day cold stratification treatment and then exposed to 22-25°C (72-77°F). Alternatively, fresh seed should be stratified or dry stored for 6 months prior to sowing. Some protocols suggest no pre-treatment is required.
Establishment: There is variation in the pre-treatment protocols, with some suggesting cold stratification or dry storage, while others suggest no pre-treatment is required. The germination rate was not provided in the protocols. Collection of seeds varies, with some protocols suggesting collection when the inflorescence begins to dry and the seed is in the soft to hard dough stage but before it shatters from the inflorescence.
Source: npn.rngr.net