This file was created by scanning the printed publication.
Errors identified by the software have been corrected;
however, some errors may remain.
CHARACTERISTICS AND USES OF IMPORTANT GRASSES
FOR ARID WESTERN RANGELANDS
John M. Sours
ABSTRACT: Twenty-five species/varieties of
native and introduced grasses are described with
characteristics, origin, and suggested uses.
Factors affecting seed production, distribution,
and availability are discussed emphasizing
specifications for seed procurement, seed
availability, varietal characteristics, and
comparative seed costs.
Nevertheless, a seeding program, with good
technology, can greatly accelerate the overall
program to increase the productivity and
diversity of rangelands. The pristine climax
vegetation of the early 1800's may not be
achievable after several generations of abuse,
but improvement is indeed possible. An
integral part of this "good technology" is the
procurement of high-quality seed of the most
promising species and, to a lesser extent, the
selection of the most promising varieties
within the species. The following section
describes several species suited to rangeland
plantings.
INTRODUCTION
The many varieties of grasses and forbs now
commercially available are the result of
extensive research, and represent an incalculable
expenditure of time and money. The major source
of improved germ plasm for rangeland use has been
USDA Soil Conservation Service Plant Material
Centers. Several varieties have also originated
from State Agricultural Experiment Stations.
Other varieties now in widespread use were
developed by Agriculture Canada Research
Stations.
1. Crested wheatgrasses, the "golden grasses
of the West", require at least 10 inches (25
em) of coarse-to-medium-textured soils and 6 to
15 inches (15 to 38 em) annual precipitation.
Development will be slow in the more arid range
areas, and new seedings may need to be
protected from grazing for at least 2 years.
They establish well when planted on a firm
seedbed. Seeds should be drilled about 0.5
inches (1 em) deep. The cresteds have
performed well in monocultures, or when seeded
with alfalfa. Consequently, land managers are
reluctant to diversify plantings to include
other species. (a) Standard crested wheatgrass
(Agropyron desertorum), the old-timer, dating
back to early introductions has all but
disappeared. A tendency, in some circles, is
to bag up all unidentified, untraceable,
crested wheatgrass se·ed and call it "standard."
I prefer the terminology of "crested
wheatgrass, variety not stated", for
unidentified seed. Many useful seed lots are
available for the "non-purist" who wants all
the seed his money can buy. (b) 'Nordan'
crested wheatgrass (A. desertorum) is a
perennial, drought-tolerant bunchgrass. It is
an outstanding grass for spring grazing or hay,
and very persistent and palatable to sheep,
cattle, and horses. (c) Fairway crested
wheatgrass (A. cristatum) is similar to Nordan
in many characteristics; however, it is a
little shorter and finer stemmed. It matures a
little earlier and has a higher leaf-to-stem
ratio. It is weakly rhizomatous and looks
"turfier". (d) 'Ruff' dwarf crested wheatgrass
(~. cristatum) closely resembles fairway.
It
hasn't caught on well for rangeland seeding,
and most seed production has been plowed out
due to lack of interest.
The Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment
Station is a very promising source of native
grasses, shrubs, and forbs for arid lands.
Several commercial seed producers in the
Intermountain West are impatient for the release
of the Station's promising ecotypes. It is
frustrating for the seed industry to receive
repeated solicitations for certain species, and
respond with poor second or third choices. A
great deal of research has been completed, and
promising ecotypes have been isolated. Demand
for this germ plasm has been established; supply
must be expedited. The commercial seed industry
may gradually become active in research and
development of improved germ plasm of arid land
ecotypes.
GRASS SPECIES AND VARIETIES
The seed industry tends to simplify the solution
to poor range quality. A stock answer to low
production is another reseeding program using
species with high forage potential. A small
expenditure for seed, and lush meadows supposedly
appear as if by magic. Livestock and wildlife
flourish; clear sparkling streams flow freely;
living becomes easy.
Ever so slowly, we learn that it takes more than
just seed. The science of range management grows
constantly, reminding us of how little we know.
Debates rage on as to the benefits of one
management system over another. We seem to have
a solution, something unexpected happens, and the
search starts over again.
2. Thickspike wheatgrass (A. dasystachyum) is
a widely occurring, native,-sod-forming grass.
It is best adapted to the northern
Intermountain West and the drier areas of the
Pacific Northwest. It resembles western
wheatgrass (~. smithii), but is more drought
tolerant. It is also similar to streambank
John M. Sours is a member of the Intermountain
Grass-Growers Association. Post Falls, IdahO.
90
wheatgrass (~. riparium). This whole complex may
cross under field conditions.
Elk, whitetail deer, mule deer, and antelope
utilize bluebunch wheatgrass extensively
throughout the winter and spring months.
Bluebunch is an excellent range grass for
sheep, cattle, and horses. Grazing management
is critical with the bluebunches. Much of the
native population has been destroyed by
overgrazing. (a) 'Secar' is the only named
variety that has been domesticated. It became
commercially available in 1981. Supplies of
seed are expected to increase substantially
with crop harvest, and prices may become more
reasonable by the fall of 1982. (b) Common
bluebuch wheatgrass is harvested from one or
two native stands each year. Although the
mechanical quality of this seed is usually
excellent, adaptability is unknown.
Thickspike occurs on sand, sandy loam, and loam
soils, yet is often successfully used to reclaim
rocky sites. It requires from 8 to 15 inches (20
to 41 em) of annual precipitation. Thickspike
provides good forage in spring and summer, but
must be protected from overgrazing. It is
palatable to livestock, deer, and rabbits. It
may be the only nesting cover for birds in sandy
areas. Native stands are found in communities
with Indian ricegrass, sand dropseed, and
needlegrass. (a) 'Critana' is the most common
cultivar and has enjoyed great popularity. It is
used as the basic component of many reclamation
seedings. It does have a serious seed production
problem. The purest foundation seed may yield a
mixture of thickspike and slender wheatgrass in
the first generation. The problem was easily
overcome, however, by simply changing the seed
certification standards to allow 30 percent
slender wheatgrass in thickspike and still carry
the cherished "blue tag" of "pure" certified
seed. (b) 'Elbee' is a variety of thickspike
released 3 years ago by Agriculture Canada. It
appeared to be a pure thickspike strain; however,
in 1981 plantings "blew up" as slender wheatgrass
variants appeared.
5. Beardless bluebunch wheatgrass (~. spicatum
inerme) was previously classified as A. inerme.
The only apparent taxonomic difference between
bluebunch and beardless bluebunch is the
presence or absence of awns on the seed. Both
types have basically the same adaptation and
use. (a) 'Whitmar' is the only named variety of
beardless bluebunch that is commercially
available. The importance of both varieties
demands a dependable supply of seed at a more
reasonable price than has been experienced in
the past. Quality seed will probably never be
as inexpensive as crested unless varieties or ·
techniques can be developed to increase seed
yield.
3. Tall wheatgrass (A. elongatum) is a tall,
late maturing, perennial bunchgrass. It is
vigorous enough to outgrow recurring deposits of
wind-borne volcanic ash on the subirrigated
canyon floors of the central Washington scabland.
Although coarse, it is surprisingly palatable and
can be used to extend grazing seasons well into
the summer. , It can also be used for silage or
chopped hay. Tall wheatgrass does not perform
well on poorly drained soils, but thrives where
irrigated or subirrigated. Its most outstanding
characteristic is its tolerance to saline,
saline-alkali, or alkali soils, or to water
containing these salts.
6. Intermediate wheatgrass (A. intermedium) is
an introduced, perennial, sod=forming grass.
It is a tall species that produces high yields
of excellent hay or pasture grass.
Intermediate is adapted to soils that are well
drained and loamy to fine textured. It
tolerates only mild alkalinity. It requires a
minimum of 14 inches (36 em) of precipitation
except on deep, fine-textured soils where it
performs well on only 12 inches (30 em) of
moisture. Intermediate germinates promptly and
has excellent seedling vigor.
Tall wheatgrass is used on large commercial
livestock pastures in Texas where irrigation
water has become too alkaline for other forage.
Forage utilization requires special management.
(a) 'Alkar' is the most common variety in the
northern latitudes. (b) 'Jose' is a new variety
that is doing well in the southern States.
Mixtures of intermediate wheatgrass and dryland
alfalfa are very compatible. They are adapted
to similar sites and mature at about the same
date. There are several varieties from which
to choose: (a) 'Oahe' is the most abundant
variety, because most seed growers feel that it
yields the most seed per acre. (b) 'Greenar' is
usually available at a premium price. It is
reported to have an advantage over the other
varieties in forage quality. (c) 'Amur' is a
variety released in New Mexico. Its production
is very limited. (d) 'Tegmar' is a dwarf
variety about half as tall as Oahe and Greenar.
It spreads by forming rhizomes and develops a
dense sod more rapidly than the other
intermediates. It produces quality forage, but
is usually used for erosion control on
industrial disturbances. It is excellent for
sodded waterways because it withstands
considerable siltation. Tegmar can be mowed
closely to provide low-maintenance turf.
4. Bluebunch wheatgrass (A. spicatum) is a
long-lived perennial bunchgrass with wide
adaptability. It occurs in native stands from
the mountainous foothills associated with
Ponderosa pine or Douglas fir, to open prairies
with Idaho fescue and Sandberg bluegrass. It
also is found with needlegrass in drier areas
with sagebrush and rabbitbrush. Bluebunch
requires from 6 to 35 inches (15 to 89 em) of
annual precipitation and is found from elevations
of 300 to 5,000 ft (91 to 1 524 m). It occurs on
both northern and southern slopes, depending on
location. It requires at least 10 inches (25 em)
of medium to moderately coarse, sandy loam soils.
It is not tolerant of excessive salts or soil
moisture.
7. Pubescent wheatgrass (A. trichophorum) is
an introduced species quite similar to
91
10. Creeping meadow foxtail (Alopecurus
arundinaceus) and meadow foxtail (~. pratensis)
have similar characteristics and adaptability.
Their outstanding feature is adaptability to
poorly drained, strongly acid soils. Both are
extremely winterhardy, even when covered with
ice. They start growth early in the spring and
show no damage from late frost. They mature
early and recover rapidly from grazing or
mowing. The seed is light and fluffy, thus
hard to harvest, condition, and plant. It is
also slow to become established.
intermediate wheatgrass in characteristics and
adaptability. It matures a week or more earlier
than intermediate, and forms a denser sod. Like
intermediate, it stays green well into summer if
sufficient moisture is available. It is a little
more drought tolerant than intermediate, being
able to perform at 12 inches (30 em) of moisture
or even a little less at elevations over 3,500
ft (1 067 m). Also, like intermediate, pubescent
forms a large root mass. The basic taxonomic
difference between the two species is the
presence of short, stiff hairs on the stem,
leaves, and seeds of pubescent wheatgrass.
Several varieties are usually available from
which to makes a selection. (a) 'Mandan', a
release derived from North Dakota, is used
extensively in the northern Great Plains and
performs very well over a wide area. (b)
'Greenleaf' is a Canadian selection developed at
the Northern Great Plains Research Center in
Mandan, North Dakota. It has a slightly greener
color than Mandan and has excellent forage
qualities. (c) 'Topar' is another excellent
variety for forage and cover. It is often used
on marginal sites as part of revegetation
mixtures. (d) 'Luna' was selected at the Los
Lunas Plant Material Center in New Mexico. It
has proved capable of establishment on harsh
sites. In the past several years, Topar and Luna
have commanded a premium seed price.
The most significant difference between these
two species is that meadow foxtail is
essentially a bunchgrass, and creeping foxtail
is rhizomatous. (a) 'Garrison' is a selection
of the creeping species and is commercially
available. (b) Meadow foxtail has no developed
varieties, but is harvested from native stands.
11. Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) is an
introduced sod-forming grass planted
extensively for hay. ~t requires a relatively
fertile, neutral soil, and at least 15 inches
(38 em) of precipitation, but it can withstand
periods of drought. It is especially noted for
high-quality hay when mixed with alfalfa.
Smooth brome is often categorized into three
forms: southern, intermediate, and northern.
These might also be called very aggressive sod
forming, moderately sod forming, and midly sod
forming. Many varieties of brome are now
commercially available. One or two popular
varieties of each type are worthy of mention:
(a) Southern - 'Lincoln', 'Achenbach' (b)
Intermediate - 'Manchar', 'Magna' (c) Northern
-'Polar', 'Carleton'.
8. Streambank wheatgrass (A. riparium) is a
native, sod-forming grass. -It has tough,
aggressive rhizomes that produce a durable sod
for road shoulders, sod runways, parking lots,
and dryland turf areas. It is not particularly
palatable to livestock or wildlife, which
enhances its ~se as permanent ground cover along
highways. It requires about 12 inches (30 em)
precipitation at lower elevations and will
maintain itself at 9 inches (23 em) at elevations
over 3,500 ft (1 067 m). It is highly
competitive with weeds and brush under m1n1mum
moisture conditions. (a) 'Sodar' is the only
variety of this species that has been selected
and named.
Manchar is very popular in the West because it
has good winter hardiness. Its moderate
aggressiveness does not compete excessively
with alfalfa.
12. Meadow brome (Bromus biebersteinii) is
similar to smooth brome, but has a more basal
leaf development, and recovers much more
rapidly after cutting or grazing. It tolerates
slightly acid soils and is used quite often
with red clover or alsike clover. (a) 'Regar'
is the only named variety of meadow brome. The
rapid recovery of Regar makes it more suitable
for grazing than smooth brome.
9. Slender wheatgrass (~. trachycaulum) is
another of the native bunchgrasses that is
commercially available. Its outstanding
characteristic is its rapid establishment in
areas that receive 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 em)
of precipitation. It is adapted to a wide
variety of soils and tolerates moderate
alkalinity. Slender wheatgrass is frequently
found in mixed stands with western wheatgrass in
lakebed overflow areas. The rapid establishment
of slender wheatgrass makes it an excellent
choice for inclusion in mixtures that contain
slower starting species. Two varieties are
usually available: (a) 'Revenue' is a Canadian
variety produced in large volumes as certified
seed in Canada. Only uncertified seed is
produced in the United States. (b) 'Primar' is a
SCS release that may be grown for certified seed
in the United States. Primar has excellent
adaptability to a wide area, but is not as
readily available as the Canadian Revenue
probably because Canadian seed periodically
floods the U.S. Market.
13. Mountain brome (!. marginatus) is a
vigorous, rapidly establishing perennial
bunchgrass. It is a native species from 1,500
to 4,500 ft (457 to 1 372 m) elevation from
southern Alberta and British Columbia to New
Mexico. Mountain brome requires from 16 to 30
inches (41 to 76 em) of annual moisture. It
develops a large root mass quite rapidly, and
tolerates soils in the pH range of 5.5 to 8.0.
Mountain brome is an excellent grass for
pasture or hay. It is also a useful species
for revegetating disturbed sites due to its
rapid establishment and soil stabilizing
capability. As it is a bunchgrass, it does not
overcompete with other species in a mixture.
(a) 'Bromar' is the only named variety of this
92
species. It was released by the Pullman Plant
Materials Center in 1946. It was popular as a
green manure crop for several years but fell into
disfavor due to devastating attacks of loose smut
in the seed production fields. Production ceased
as yields approached zero. Recently, development
of a chemical smut treatment has re-established a
high quality seed supply for this unique species.
17. Canby bluegrass (Poa canbyi) is a native
perennial bunchgrass.---It~short,
understory grass that competes with cheatgrass
on shallow soils. It grows vigorously in the
early spring and during mild winter periods.
It enters dormancy following seed set in the
early summer. Canby bluegrass should be used
to increase plant diversity, compete with
cheatgrass, and provide ground cover under and
around taller bunchgrasses, shrubs, and forbs.
It is palatable to wildlife and livestock and
is one of the earliest grasses to green up in
the spring. (a) Currently 'Canbar' is the only
named variety. Although it was released in
1979, it is just now becoming commercially
available. Supplies should con~inue to
improve.
14. Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) is a
native bunchgrass widely distributed on droughty,
sandy, rocky soils throughout the West. Its
tremendous drought tolerance, winter nutritional
value and palatability make it an important
species for many types of wildlife and livestock.
Several disadvantages have restricted its use.
Seed collected in one area may not perform well
in another area; specifically, when seed from low
elevations in southern latitudes is brought north
or to higher elevations. Seed can be
mechanically harvested only in limited areas and
hand harvested seed is high priced. Seed
germination and seedling establishment are very
slow. Seed must be planted deeply to sustain
germination in droughty soils. If this starchy,
high-energy seed is broadcast or planted very
shallow, it will be eaten by birds and rodents
long before it germinates.
18. Russian wildrye (Elymus junceus) is an
introduced perennial bunchgrass. While
classified as a cool season grass, it grows
actively during mid-summer if moisture is
available. The leaves are all basal and seed
stalks are bare. Russian wildrye is slow to
establish due to the low vigor of young
seedlings. It remains palatable and digestible
through the summer months, and complements any
warm season grasses in the area. (a) 'Vinall'
is the most prevalent variety currently on the
market. Its foremost characteristic is the
stabilization of seed yields. (b) 'Sawki' is a
Canadian variety that has become difficult to
purchase by variety name. It is reasonably
safe to assume that most of the common seed on
the market is of the Sawki germ plasm.
At the present time, two named varieties have
been released. (a) 'Nezpar' is an ecotype from
north central Idaho that is now in substantial
commercial, mechanized production. We can expect
dependable supplies of this variety and a
decrease in seed prices. This variety was
developed by the SCS Plant Materials Center in
Aberdeen, Idaho. (b) 'Paloma' is the other named
variety and Fepresents the more southern
ecotypes. It was released by the SCS Plant
Materials Center in Los Lunas, New Mexico and is
progressing very well with the professional seed
growers.
19. Great Basin wildrye (Elymus cinereus) is a
native bunchgrass that once covered large areas
of western North America. This species has
unique adaptability to saline/alkaline lakebeds
and also the surrounding uplands. It grows in
communities with salt desert species, such as
saltgrass, and also upland species such as
wheatgrasses, rabbitbrush and sagebrush. It
will not tolerate shallow soils, nor does it
perform well on deep, coarse, sandy soils. It
is adapted to a wide range of other soil types.
It requires a minimum of 8 to 16 inches (20 to
41 em) of annual precipitation. It will grow
well on high water table areas, and responds
well to irrigation. Spring grazing is
extremely detrimental to basin wildrye. For
this reason only remnants of the once vast
native stands can be found.
15. Mountain rye (Secale montanum) is a species
that has become established and has persisted
both in native stands and in cultivated seedings
at mid-to-high elevations. It is a dependable
perennial closely related to annual cereal rye.
It should have great potential as a nurse crop
for high-elevation mixtures, or for use as a
monoculture in the rapid stabilization of
critical areas. At this time there is no
commercial supply or production. This species is
worthy of an accelerated release program. The
plant is well adapted to mine disturbances
throughout a wide range of sites.
16. Bottlebrush squirreltail (Sitanion hystrix)
is a native species that is becoming more
ftVailable. It is a competitive perennial that
can invade cheatgrass ranges. It produces
excellent forage in the early spring for
livestock and wildlife.
Great Basin wildrye provides excellent cover
and nesting for pheasants. Birds and rodents
also eat the seeds. It is utilized by deer,
primarily for bedding areas and cover, but they
do browse it to a limited degree. (a) 'Magnar'
is the only named variety. It was developed
from a selection of Canadian origin by the SCS
Plant Materials Center in Aberdeen, Idaho.
A major problem with squirreltail is that the
seeds will not thresh or dislodge from the head
or stem until the seed is completely ripe. When
ripe, the entire head disarticulates. The seed
is difficult to harvest with mechanized
equipment. It is important that a strain be
developed that can be combine harvested.
20. Altai wild ryegrass (Elymus augustus) was
introduced from Siberia into Canada for testing
in 1934. It was released to Canadian growers
as the certified variety, 'Prairieland', in
1976. As with the other wildryes, Altai has an
abundance of coarse basal leaves, which grow
erect from the crown. The seed stalks are tall
93
and bare. This variety is adapted to deep
soils. Its roots grow to a depth of 10 to 14
ft (3 to 4 m) enabling it to draw subsoil
moisture from perched water tables. It will
tolerate alkaline/saline soils as well as tall
wheatgrass, but is considerably more drought
tolerant. It grows best on loam and clay
prairie soils.
Prairieland Altai wildrye produces forage which
is palatable throughout the year. Its most
common usage is for standing hay for winter
consumption. The growth period is from early
spring through fall. Some certified seed has
been available from Canadian growers.
Uncertified domestic production should be
available by the spring of 1983.
REFERENCES
Hafenrichter, A. L.; Schwendiman, John L.;
Harris, Harold L.; MacLauchlan, RobertS.;
Miller, Harold W. Grasses and legumes for
Soil Conservation in the Pacific Northwest
and Great Basin States. U.S. Department of
Agriculture 339; April 1968. 69 p.
Long, Stephen G. Characteristics of plants
used in western reclamation, second edition,
Fort Collins, CO: Environmental Research &
Technology, Inc.; 1981. 146 p.
94