Description of the Grasses 
Agropyron smithii Rydb., western wheatgrass 
DESCRIPTION 
Cool-season, rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 1 to 3 feet. 
Leaf blade: 4 to 8 inches long; ribbed; upright; usually flat; 
curls or rolls inward when plant wilts. 
Leaf sheath: Hairless ; shorter than internodes. 
Stem: Numerous; covered with bluish or whitish waxy sub- 
stance ; nodes darker than internodes. 
Seedhead: Terminal spike 2 to 7 inches long, pale blue. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth starts in spring when daily temperature is 50° to 56° F. 
Produces new growth from axillary buds at the basal nodes of 
stems and at the nodes of rhizomes. Becomes semidormant during 
hot summer months; greens up in fall if moisture is available. 
Reproduces from seed and from rhizomes. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout Great Plains north to Canada, as far east as Mich- 
igan and Tennessee, and as far west as California. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Adapted to a wide range of soils on uplands. Grows best on clay 
loams. Also adapted to well-drained bottom-land soils. Tolerates 
alkaline and saline conditions. This grass is often the dominant 
grass on salty sites and on adobe (clay) soils. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Western wheatgrass is a valuable forage grass for horses, cat- 
tle, sheep, goats, deer, and elk. Sheep relish the seedheads. It 
cures well on the stem, making it valuable winter forage. It 
makes excellent hay of high feeding value. This grass grows suc- 
cessfully under cultivation but is not widely accepted as a man- 
aged pasture grass. It is used to seed waterways in cultivated 
fields. 
For maximum production on rangeland, defer grazing every 
few years at least 90 days before seed form. Protect this grass 
from grazing throughout growing season if it is managed for seed 
harvest or hay. Graze it moderately during dormant period. 
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