Grass Description
Found in disturbed, often wet, alkaline areas.
General Description
Tall, wide, densely clumped grass with erect seedhead stems. It has been planted along roadsides for stabilization. It is one of the most saline tolerant grasses commercially available.
Densely clumping perennial. Sheaths hairy on lower margins. Auricles less than 1/16 inch long. Blades rolled longitudinally, with ribs on upper surface. Seedhead erect, to 16 inches long. Spikelets one per node, 5 to 18 florets. Glume veins about equal.
Flower Characteristics
Elongate robust seedhead stems, 14 to 30 inches long. Spikelets one per node, elliptic to oblong, 5 to 18 fertile florets, diminished florets at the apex, laterally compressed. Glumes blunt.
Vegetative Characteristics
Blades 8 to 18 inches long, thin, and stiff. Leaf blade surface ribbed. The blades are often covered with short stiff hairs making them rough to the touch.
Good. Tall wheatgrass is most palatable during the early spring months and should be managed during this time. If not, old coarse growth may inhibit grazing the following year. It must be grazed heavily to maintain plants in the vegetative state.