SLENDER WHEATGRASS - Star Seed Inc.

SLENDER 

WHEATGRASS 

Elymus trachycaulus (Link) 

Gould ex Shinners 

Plant Symbol = ELTR7 

Contributed by: USDA NRCS Idaho State Office 

Jeanne R. Janish. 1977. 

© The New York Botanical Garden 

Alternate Names 

Agropyron trachycaulum, Agropyron caninum var. 

andinum; two subspecies are recognized: E.t. ssp. 

subsecundus and E.t. ssp. trachycaulus. 

Uses 

Grazing/rangeland/pasture: Slender wheatgrass is 

both palatable and nutritious to livestock. Crude 

protein averages 22 to 25% in the spring and drops 

Plant Guide 

below 10% in late summer to fall. Average dry 

matter yield is between 1000 and 2300 lb/acre. 

Wildlife: Upland game birds and small mammals 

utilize the seed for food and the foliage for cover. 

Large ungulates, especially elk and bighorn sheep at 

higher elevations, readily graze this species. 

Erosion control: Slender wheatgrass is a short-lived 

perennial with good seedling vigor. It germinates and 

establishes quickly when seeded making it a good 

choice for quick cover on disturbed sites. It persists 

long enough for other, slower developing 

components of seeding mixtures to establish. 

Reclamation: Slender wheatgrass was among the first 

native grasses widely used for reclamation seedings 

in western Canada and the U.S. It has been 

successfully used for the reclamation of mine spoils, 

oil sands, roadsides right-of-ways, wildfire areas and 

other disturbed sites. It is especially valuable for use 

in saline soils. 

Legal Status 

Consult the PLANTS Web site and your State 

Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s 

current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, 

state noxious status, and wetland indicator values). 

Taxonomy 

Historically, slender wheatgrass has borne many 

different names. Carl Linnaeus originally placed all 

wheatgrasses in the genus Triticum along with 

cultivated wheat. Later authors classified slender 

wheatgrass as Agropyron caninum, however, it was 

separated to A. trachycaulum from that Old World 

species by having broader glumes (5 to 7 nerves 

instead of 3), glumes with membranous margins (not 

rigid), and having anthers averaging 1.5 mm long as 

opposed to 2mm. More recently, it was decided 

through the use of molecular, morphological and 

cladistic analysis that in North America, the genus 

Agropyron should be left to the introduced crested 

wheatgrass complex (A. cristatum, A. desertorum and 

A. fragile), which moved slender wheatgrass to the 

genus Elymus. This move also required the change of 

the epithet to trachycaulus in order to match the Latin 

genders. 

Description 

General: Grass Family (Poaceae). Slender 

wheatgrass is an erect, tufted, bunchgrass ranging in 

Plant Materials 

Plant Fact Sheet/Guide Coordination Page 

National Plant Data Center

height from 2 to 2-1/2 feet. It is a relatively shortlived 

(3 to 5 years) perennial, cool-season C3 type, 

bunchgrass native to Western North America. 

Plants are perennial, occasionally producing short 

rhizomes. Culms are erect or decumbent at the base, 

reaching a height of 0.5 to 1.0 meters (20 to 40 

inches) tall. Stems are noted as having a 

characteristic reddish to purplish tinge at the base. 

The leaves are flat, usually 2 to 8 mm (0.08 to 0.31 

inches) wide, stiffly ascending or somewhat lax. 

Sheathes are commonly glabrous or somewhat 

scabrous with auricles short or lacking. 

The inflorescence is a long, spicate raceme ranging 

from 5 to as much as 25 cm (2 to 10 inches) long. 

Spikelets are solitary at each node of the rachis, 3 to 

7 flowered and about 10 to 20 mm (0.4 to 0.8 inches) 

long. Spikelets overlap along the inflorescence, the 

rachis internodes being 5 to 8 mm (0.2 to 0.3inches) 

long. Glumes are lanceolate to oblong with 5 to 7 

nerves. The first glume ranges from 6 to 10 mm (0.24 

to 0.4 inches) long, while second glumes are slightly 

longer, from 7 to 12 mm (0.3 to 0.5 inches). 

Distribution 

Slender wheatgrass is found in many plant 

communities including Wyoming, basin and 

mountain big sagebrush, mountain brush, aspen, 

ponderosa pine, spruce-fir and lodgepole pine. It is 

found from 1300 to 3500 meters (4,500 to 12,000 

feet) in elevation. The species range includes Canada, 

Siberia, Mexico and all states except those in the 

southeastern U.S. 

For current distribution, please consult the Plant 

Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web 

site. 

Adaptation 

Slender wheatgrass grows naturally in moist to dry 

sites receiving more than 250 mm (10 inches) annual 

precipitation. This species is not as drought tolerant 

as crested, thickspike and streambank wheatgrasses 

and may succumb to drought due to its late 

maturation. It prefers loamy to clayey soils and grows 

at elevations from 1,300 to 3,500 meters (4,500 to 

12,000 feet). Slender wheatgrass is well adapted to 

basic soils (up to pH=8.8) and moderately saline 

conditions with a salinity tolerance ranging from 10 

to 20 mmhos/cm. 

Establishment 

Seeds should be planted in a firm, weed-free seed 

bed. Dormant fall planting is preferred for dryland 

seedings made in areas receiving less than 16 inches 

mean annual precipitation. Areas receiving over 16 

inches of mean annual precipitation and fields that 

are irrigated can be seeded in late fall or early spring. 

(Note: dormant fall seedings are more prone to be 

negatively affected by soil crusting and mid to late 

spring seedings are more prone to drying out). 

Seeds should be drilled to a depth of ¼ to ¾ inch at a 

Pure Live Seed (PLS) rate of approximately 6 lb 

PLS/acre for field plantings. 

For critical area plantings, turf applications and 

broadcast plantings the PLS seeding rate should be 

1.5 to 2.0 times the drill seeding rate. 

For native seed mixtures, limit slender wheatgrass to 

1 to 2 pounds PLS/acre because higher rates effect 

the establishment of slower developing native 

species. 

Fertilizer is not recommended for establishment, as it 

usually benefits the weeds. On disturbed sites 

fertilizer should be applied according to soil test 

results. 

Management 

Slender wheatgrass is best suited as a filler 

component in seed mixtures containing slower 

establishing, long-lived perennials. It does well for 

hay and pasture when combined with legumes. 

Because this species is short-lived and only 

moderately tolerant of grazing, stands should be 

managed carefully to ensure seed production occurs 

every other year for long-term survival. 

Environmental Concerns 

Although slender wheatgrass is native to Western 

North America, it can be viewed as “weedy” due to 

its ability to quickly establish in disturbed areas. 

Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, 

Cooperative Extension Service Office or state natural 

resource or agriculture department regarding this 

species’ status and use. Weed information is also 

available from the PLANTS Web site. 

Seed Production 

Plant at a rate of approximately 3.4 pounds PLS/acre 

or 25 to 30 seeds per linear foot of drill row at 36 

inch row spacing. 

For stand establishment, apply 55 lb/acre of 11-55-0 

(high phosphorus fertilizer) as a soil amendment prior 

to planting or during seeding. If planting into grain 

stubble, after initial seedling establishment, apply 30 

lb/acre nitrogen for dryland or 60 to 80 lb/acre

nitrogen for irrigated fields. No additional nitrogen is 

necessary if planting into summer fallow. Irrigate 

enough to keep soil moist for establishment and to 

prevent soil crusting. Seeds should germinate within 

8 to 10 days. Weeds can be controlled after the 3 to 5 

leaf stage with low rates of Bromoxynil. Be sure to 

read and follow all label directions when using any 

pesticide. Caution should be exercised when using 

cultivation on young seedlings because of the 

possibility of uprooting. 

For established stands, apply 50 lb/acre nitrogen each 

year in late fall on dryland and 60 to 80 lb/acre 

nitrogen in late fall under irrigation. 

On established stands keep soil moisture above fifty 

percent field capacity during the growth period. 

Before the flowering stage apply enough water to 

carry plants through pollination. After pollination, 

irrigate to recharge the soil profile for seed set. 

Control weeds chemically (Bromoxynil, Metribuzin, 

2,4-D or dicamba), by roguing or mechanical 

cultivating. 

Seed is ready for harvest in late July to early August. 

The recommended harvest method is by direct 

combining or by swathing followed by combining. 

Windrows should be allowed to dry in the field for 6 

to 7 days before combining. 

Seed yields range from 200 to 400 lb/acre in dryland 

to 500 to 600 lb/acre under irrigation. Seed should be 

dried to 12 percent or less moisture prior to storage. 

When stored properly, cleaned seed should retain its 

viability for about five years. Stands can be expected 

to survive for 3 to 5 years. 

Pests and Potential Problems 

No insect or disease problems have been noted for 

this species. 

Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials 

‘Adanac’ was released by the Agriculture Canada, 

Saskatoon Research Station and the Agriculture 

Canada Experiment Farm in 1990. Plants are taller 

than those of Revenue, but have fewer leaves. 

Adanac averaged 7% higher hay yields than Revenue 

during a four-year study. Adanac also rated higher 

than Revenue in establishment, persistence, seed 

yield and productivity under saline conditions. 

However, digestibility and protein content are 

somewhat below those of Revenue. This release is 

recommended for use in Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Breeder seed is maintained by the Agriculture 

Canada, Saskatoon Research Station and the 

Agriculture Canada Experiment Farm, Indian Head. 

‘Elbee’ was released in 1980 by S. Smoliak and A. 

Johnson of Agriculture Canada Research Station, 

Lethbridge, Alberta. This is an eight-clone synthetic 

variety selected for aggressiveness of rhizomes, and 

forage and seed yields. This variety has excellent 

germination, high seedling vigor, drought tolerance, 

early spring growth and an aggressive root system. It 

is primarily intended for range and pasture seedings 

in the dark soil zones of the prairies as well as for 

revegetation of roadsides and industrial disturbances. 

Breeder seed is available through Agriculture Canada 

Research Station, Lethbridge, Alberta. 

‘AEC Hillcrest’ was released by the Alberta 

Environmental Centre in 1994. Its primary uses are in 

reclaiming and revegetation of disturbed sites in the 

mountains and foothills of Alberta. This cultivar 

belongs to a different subspecies than the others 

discussed here (Elymus trachycaulus ssp. 

subsecundus) and is therefore difficult to compare 

directly. Data show AEC Hillcrest producing similar 

plant cover to Revenue at elevations around 1800 

meters. Hillcrest seeds also tend to ripen two weeks 

earlier than Revenue, an important quality in the 

shortened growing season of Alberta. Breeder seed is 

maintained by the Alberta Environmental Centre, 

Vegreville, Alberta. Foundation and Certified seed is 

maintained by Peace Valley Seeds, Rycroft, Alberta. 

‘Primar’ was released by the NRCS Plant Materials 

Center in Pullman, Washington in 1946. Originally 

collected near Beebe, Montana, Primar was selected 

for use in sweetclover-grass conservation mixtures 

for pasture, hay and green manure. Plants are high in 

vegetative production and show resistance to leaf 

rust, stem rust and stripe rust. This cultivar is adapted 

to short-lived dryland seedings in areas receiving 

over 16” annual precipitation. Pullman Plant 

Materials Center maintains Breeder seed and 

Washington Crop Improvement Association maintain 

Foundation seed. 

‘Pryor’ was released cooperatively by the NRCS 

Plant Materials Center in Bridger, Montana and the 

Montana and Wyoming Agricultural Experiment 

Stations in 1988. The original collection was made in 

Carbon County, Montana, five miles north of 

Warren. It is superior to other previously released 

slender wheatgrasses in drought tolerance, saline 

tolerance and seedling vigor. It also matures earlier 

and has a larger mean seed size (213,000 seeds/kg 

compared to 320,000 seeds/kg). For these reasons it 

is used primarily in mixtures for reclamation and 

conservation plantings in low precipitation, alkali 

conditions. Breeder and Foundation seed are

maintained by the NRCS Plant Materials Center, 

Bridger, Montana. 

‘Revenue’ was originally collected in Saskatchewan 

in 1961. It was selected from over 750 native and 

introduced collections evaluated between 1959 and 

1969 and released in 1970 by the Canada Department 

of Agriculture. Revenue is said to be superior to 

Primar in establishment, forage and seed yield and in 

salinity tolerance. It also has a higher leaf-to-stem 

ratio, better digestibility and greater smut resistance 

than Primar. It is similar to Primar in maintaining 

good stands for three to five years. It is adapted for 

use on saline soils and in short pasture rotations. 

Breeder seed is maintained by the Canada 

Department of Agriculture. 

‘San Luis’ was released cooperatively in 1984 by 

Colorado, and New Mexico Agricultural Experiment 

Stations, NRCS, and the Upper Colorado 

Environmental Plant Center. The original collection 

was made by Glenn Niner in 1975 near Center, San 

Luis Valley, Rio Grande County, Colorado. Due to 

its outstanding rapid establishment and longevity it is 

well suited for soil stabilization on slopes and 

disturbed sites. It performs best above 1,800 meters 

elevation in areas receiving over 35 cm (14 inches) of 

annual precipitation. It is recommended for ski 

slopes, roadsides, mine land reclamation and 

transmission corridors. Breeder and Foundation seed 

is maintained by the Upper Colorado Environmental 

Plant Center, Meeker, Colorado. 

References 

Alderson, J. and W. C. Sharp 1994. Grass varieties in 

the United States. Agriculture Handbook No. 170. 

USDA, SCS, Washington, DC. 

Barkworth, M.E. 1997. Taxonomic and 

nomenclatural comments on the Triticeae in North 

America. Phytologia. 83(4): 302-311. 

Block, D.N. Rangeland Ecosystems and Plants: 

Elymus trachycaulus. 

(http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/classes/ran 

ge/agropyrontrach.html, 3 December 2004). 

Department of Plant Sciences. University of 

Saskatchewan, (insert city). 

Cornforth, B., L. St. John and D. G. Ogle. 2001. Seed 

production standards for conservation plants in the 

Intermountain West. Technical Note 14. USDA- 

NRCS, Boise. 

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren and 

J.L. Reveal. 1977. Intermountain flora: vascular 

plants of the intermountain West, USA. The New 

York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 

Darroch, B.A. and S.N. Acharya. 1996. AEC 

Hillcrest awned slender wheatgrass. Can. J. Plant Sci. 

76: 345-347. 

Haas, R.J., K.K. Sedivec, & D.A. Tober. 1997. Grass 

varieties for North Dakota. Extension Service 

Circular R-794. 

(http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/hay.htm). North 

Dakota State University, Bismarck. 

Hitchcock, A.S. 1951. Manual of the grasses of the 

United States. USDA, Washington, D.C. 

Janish, J.R. 1969. Vascular Plants of the Pacific 

Northwest, Part 1: Vascular Cryptogams, 

Gymnosperms, and Monocotyledons. University of 

Washington Press, Seattle. 

Ogle, D. G., L. St. John, M. Stannard and L. 

Holzworth. 2003. Grass, grass-like, forb, legume, 

and woody species for the intermountain West. 

Technical Note 24. USDA-NRCS, Boise. 

Poole, B., J. Dickerson, B. Wark, D. Burgdorf, R. 

Maher, T. Bush, & C. Miller. 1998. Vegetating with 

native grasses in northeastern North America. 

USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Program and Ducks 

Unlimited Canada. 

Skinner, David M. 2004. Propagation protocol for 

production of Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex 

Shinners seeds; Pullman Plant Materials Center, 

Pullman, Washington. 

(http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org, 3 December 

2004). University of Idaho, College of Natural 

Resources, Forest Research Nursery, Moscow. 

USDA, Forest Service 1996. Fire effects information 

system. Version: 000417. 

. Rocky 

Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences 

Laboratory, Missoula. 

USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, 

Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant 

Data Center, Baton Rouge. 

Van Bruggen, T. 1976. The vascular plants of South 

Dakota. The Iowa State University Press, Ames. 

Wark, D.B., W.R. Poole, R.G. Arnott, L.R. Moats, & 

L. Wetter 1994. Revegetating with native grasses. 

Ducks Unlimited Canada, Stonewall.

Prepared By: 

Derek J. Tilley 

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, 

Idaho 

Dan Ogle 

USDA NRCS Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho 

Loren St. John 

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, 

Idaho 

Larry Holzworth 

USDA NRCS Montana State Office, Bozeman, 

Montana 

Wayne Crowder 

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Pullman, 

Washington 

Mark Majerus 

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bridger, 

Montana 

Species Coordinator: 

Dan Ogle 

USDA NRCS Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho 

Edited: 10Dec04djt; 21jan05dgo; 1Jan05lsj; 6Jan05wac; 

14Jan05lkh, 20Jan05 rln; 06jun06 jsp 

For more information about this and other plants, please contact 

your local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the 

PLANTS Web site or the Plant Materials 

Program Web site 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits 

discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of 

race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political 

beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all 

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities 

who require alternative means for communication of program 

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 

USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office 

of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 

202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider and employer. 

Read about Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation 

Service.

SLENDER WHEATGRASS - Star Seed Inc.

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?