Wheatgrass, Thickspike
(Elymus lanceolatus)
This western US native is a drought tolerant, perennial cool season grass that provides good palatability for livestock and wildlife alike. It spreads via rhizomes, and as such is used primarily to stabilize soil and control erosion. It occurs along a wide elevational gradient, from near sea level to 10,000ft and is found primarily in the Intermountain and Rocky Mountain regions of the US. Adapted to a wide range of sites, but prefers well drained medium to coarse soils and 8-20” in annual precipitation.
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