G40 

 REEDGRASSES 



Calamagros'tis spp. 



The reedgrasses, perennial plants of the redtop tribe ( Agrostideae) , 

 constitute a large genus of over 100 species distributed throughout 

 the cool and temperate regions of the world. About 26 species occur 

 in the United States, mostly in the western mountains, with the 

 largest representation in the Northwest. The scientific name Cala- 

 magrostis is derived from the Greek and literally means reedgrass. 



The western reedgrasses range from sea level on the Pacific coast 

 to the high elevations in alpine and subalpine meadows. The mois- 

 ture requirements of the different species vary considerably as their 

 habitat ranges from wet acid sites to dry or saline situations. Many 

 of the species occupy wet meadows, bogs, marshy areas, stream 

 banks, and moist open woods ; others are typically dry -land plants. 



With the exception of bluejoint (C. canadensis) and pinegrass 

 (C. ruJbescens), the members of this genus are generally scattered 

 in occurrence and seldom appear in abundance over large range 

 areas. The various species are usually classed as "fillers" or sec- 

 ondary forage plants. Considering the group as a whole, however, 

 the reedgrasses are important on many ranges. The palatability to 

 livestock varies considerably according to species ; several are highly 

 palatable to all livestock; others, particularly some of the dry-land 

 plants, are distinctly inferior forage. But, on the whole, the reed- 

 grasses are regarded as fair to good forage for all classes of live- 

 stock. They are grazed with moderate relish during the early part 

 of the growing season but the herbage usualty becomes tougn and 

 harsh as the season advances. Elk graze several of the species 

 moderately and deer crop them to a slight extent. 



Shorthair reedgrass (C. breij/eri), sometimes called Brewer reed- 

 grass, is a low, densely tufted grass, 6 to 12 inches high, with a mass 

 of fine, short foliage, slender stems, and open, few-flowered, purplish 

 panicles. It grows in mountain meadows of the high Sierra Nevada 

 Mountains of California. This is one of the most palatable of the 

 reedgrasses and is eaten by all classes of livestock as well as by deer. 

 Together with shorthair sedge (Carex exserta, syn. "Carex filifolia" 

 in part) it makes up the highly valued, so-called shorthair ranges of 

 the high Sierra Nevada. 



Marsh reedgrass (C almnagro' stis inexpan' 'sa, syns. "C. htyperbo'rea" 

 of United States authors, C. hyperbo'rea americafna, C. hyperbo'rea 

 elonga'ta) , a robust species growing up to 4 feet high from stout 

 rootstocks, has a rather coarse spikelike panicle and firm, rather 

 harsh, rigid leaves. It grows in meadows and marshes, extending 

 from the plains to high mountains in all of the 11 far western 

 States, as well as in the northeastern United States and throughout 

 most of Canada. This species is fairly palatable to all classes of 

 livestock but, due to its rank growth, is more readily grazed by 

 cattle and horses than by sheep. It is not ordinarily abundant. 



Plains reedgrass (C. momtcmen' sis] is an erect, dry-land species, 

 up to 16 inches tall, with rigid stems, rough inrolled leaves, under- 

 ground rootstocks, and narrow, purplish, or pale panicles. It grows 



