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Elymus virginicus
Elymus virginicus L.
Virginia Wild Rye, Virginia Wildrye
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ELVI3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Culms: Strictly erect or decumbent at base, mostly 60-120 cm tall, green. Blades: Flat, mostly 5-15 mm. braod. Spike: Usually stiffly erect.
From the Image Gallery
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Inflorescence: Spike , Terminal
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV , WYCanada: NB , NL , NS , PE
Native Habitat: Shaded banks, fence rows, open woodlands.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Organic, Clay, Loam, Sandy
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Fair grazing, seed and forage for birds and small mammals, used for denning and nesting material.Use Other: Good grazing for livestock.
Warning: The awns (seed husks) of this species and some other grass species with similarly barbed awns pose a serious threat of injury to dogs in which they can cause severe eye injuries. Do not use this grass in areas frequented by dogs.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: The Grass Family is an essential larval host for most branded skippers and most of the satyrs.
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsSeed Treatment: No special pre-treatment.
Find Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
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National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FACW | FACW | FAC | FACW | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-506 Collected 2007-06-21 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 1221 - Grasses of the Texas Hill Country (2006) Loflin, B & Loflin, S.
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Elymus virginicus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Elymus virginicus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Elymus virginicus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-02Research By: TWC Staff