Agropyron cristatum (Crested wheatgrass)
Cool season, long-lived, perennial bunchgrass that can be weakly rhizomatous. Extremely drought and cold tolerant. Adapted to a wide range of sites but is most productive on well drained, medium textured soils. Good palatability to livestock when green. Introduced extensively throughout the West. Varieties listed below.
DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION
INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES
Family: Poaceae
Duration: Perennial, long-lived
Growth Habit: Graminoid
Native Status: Introduced
Season: Cool season
Growth Form: Bunchgrass
Mature Height: 24 in.
Annual Precipitation: 6-30 in.
Drought Tolerance: High
Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
Elevation:
Fire Resistance: Yes
Fire Tolerance: High
SOIL ADAPTATION
Coarse Texture: No
Medium Texture: Yes
Fine Texture: Yes
Salinity Tolerance: Medium
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
pH Range: 6.0-8.2
SEEDING NOTES
Seeds per Pound: 311,200
Seeding Rate: PLS lbs/acre
Season: Spring/Fall
Days to Germination:
VARIETIES
Ephraim - Rhizomatous growth habit. Well suited for soil stabilization. (Released 1983, origin: Ankara, Turkey)
Fairway - Shorter and finer-stemmed than other types; capable of forming sod in dryland areas. (Released 1927, origin: Siberia)
Kirk - Tall, coarse growth habit with regrowth better than all other varieties (except Nordan). Excellent seedling vigor. Top yielding variety in the northern latitudes. (Released 1987, origin: Europe, including Finland)
Roadcrest - Lower growth, finer leaf texture and increased sod formation. Developed for roadside use and low maintenance turf areas. (Released 1998, origin: Iran & Turkey)