BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Elymus macrourus | Wheatgrass 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Elymus macrourus is a native, perennial grass.  It is loosely tufted and
sometimes forms short rhizomes.  It grows from 15 to 30 inches (40-80
cm) tall.  The culms are erect and the spike is slender and narrow
[6,10].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Hemicryptophyte
   Geophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Elymus macrourus reproduces by seed, with seed set rates from 83 to 100
percent [8,9].  It is self-fertile [9].

Vegetative reproduction occurs through rhizomes [6].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Elymus macrourus occurs on alluvial flats, riverbanks, sand and gravel
bars, and less commonly on hillsides with good drainage and abundant
moisture.  It also occurs on coastal precipices, swales in willow
woodlands, roadsides, and gravel banks [8,10,13,15].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Obligate Initial Community Species

Elymus macrourus appears to occur in early seral sites; it is
characteristic of disturbed sites [10,13].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Elymus macrourus | Wheatgrass