Intermediate Wheatgrass

Description:

Growth Characteristics: A distinctly sod-forming grass, growing 2 ½ to 4 feet tall with abundant rhizomes. It starts growth in early spring, matures June to August. Growth is difficult to maintain during the summer, even with adequate moisture. Reproduces from seeds, tillers, and rhizomes. Seedhead:Erect spike, 4 to 8 inches long; spikelets slightly overlapping, set close to the rachis, and contain 4 to 8 florets; glumes slightly shorter than the lowest floret when mature and are bluntly pointed; lemmas awnless. Leaves: Glabrous or somewhat pubescent on blades and sheaths; leaf blades flat, veined, up to 3/8 inch wide and 2 to 6 inches long; leaves rolled in the bud; ligule short, membranous; auricles of medium length and clasping.

Habitat:

Intermediate wheatgrass is one of the higher producing introduced grasses on upland and mountain sites. Intermediate wheatgrass has probably not been introduced long enough to become naturalized on any particular set of sites. It is seeded in both dryland and irrigated pastures, as well as in hay meadows. It will grow in 14-inch rainfall belts, but does better with 16 inches or more. Can grow in elevations ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 feet.