Elymus virginicus, or Virginia wildrye, is a perennial bunchgrass located in Virginia and the eastern United States. Virginia wild rye is one of the few cool season native grasses found in the east Texas area. It is extremely palatable to livestock and will decrease without proper grazing management. It spreads via seed and tillering. It can be confused with Canadian wild rye which is a more robust plant with longer awns. It should be cut early in the season when used for hay to avoid ergot contamination. Northern Missouri Germplasm Virginia wild rye was released in 1999 by the Missouri Plant Material Center for use in northern Missouri.
Description
Cool season
Perennial
Bunch grass
Variable color, green - silver blue
2 – 4 feet tall
Seed head has dense, medium length awns
Seed head 2 - 6 inches in length
Uses
Pasture and hay
Restoration
Erosion control
Wildlife habitat
Buffer strips
Key characteristics
Seed head remains straight at maturity
Short, membranous, rigid ligule
Densely awned, wheat like head
No hair on stems or leaves
Color variable, green waxy, blue-green or silver
Flowers May - July
Distribution
Virginia wildrye is found throughout the eastern 2/3rds of the United States and all of the southern, Canadian provinces. It is typically found in moister sites than Canadian wildrye, and will tolerate more shading. It prefers heavy, fertile soils, but is extremely adaptable.