Some Type Wild Rye

[SwampCat]

Comes in thick after spring floods. I have acres of it. Grows well in complete shade or broiling sun. Three ft tall. Bottomland. Arkansas

 

[Native Hunter]

It's Elymus Virginicus (aka Virginia Wildrye). This is a common cool season native grass that is often added to warm season grass mixes. It is palatable to anything that will eat grass, and waterfowl will often eat the seedheads.

 

[SwampCat]

It's Elymus Virginicus (aka Virginia Wildrye). This is a common cool season native grass that is often added to warm season grass mixes. It is palatable to anything that will eat grass, and waterfowl will often eat the seedheads.

Thank you. I thought that might be what is was - but wanted expert confirmation. I havent noticed browsing on existing plants - but there it is everywhere so browsing activity may be minimal in any one place. I am more interested in it as food source for waterfowl, when flooded.

 

[TreeDaddy]

It's Elymus Virginicus (aka Virginia Wildrye). This is a common cool season native grass that is often added to warm season grass mixes. It is palatable to anything that will eat grass, and waterfowl will often eat the seedheads.

I was going to say canadian wild rye

Steve, is there a difference?

bill

 

[TreeDaddy]

Comes in thick after spring floods. I have acres of it. Grows well in complete shade or broiling sun. Three ft tall. Bottomland. Arkansas

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Swampcat,

After following your posts , it seems that we have similar flora and fauna(challenges) in my creek bottom land in east texas

Torrid,dry heat in the summer and flooded timber in winter

bill

 

[Native Hunter]

I was going to say canadian wild rye

Steve, is there a difference?

bill

Yes, they are similar but are two different species. Canadian Wild Rye gets quite a bit taller. There are actually several different wild rye variants that are less common and seldom mentioned. However, the wildlife value of each of them is very similar. To differentiate between them takes a close inspection and generally can't be done from just a photograph.

 

[hilltopper]

Canadian Wild Rye is one of the deadly "mean seeds." Keep your dogs out of it- it can be inhaled and the subsequent infections are often deadly. It should be illegal to plant but it is a frequent component of various habitat mixes. I'm not sure if Virginia Wild Rye has the same risks.