Scientific Name
Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould subsp. lanceolatus (Synonyms: Agropyron dasystachyum)
Common Name(s)
Thickspike wheatgrass
Tribe / Family Name
Triticeae
Flowering Period
June to August
Symbol
ELLAL
Description
Thickspike wheatgrass is a native cool-season perennial rhizomatous grass that is usually glaucous; reproduction occurs from seeds and rhizomes. Culms range from 60–130 cm in height. Its inflorescence is a slender, stiff, erect spike 10–22 cm long and not shattering at maturity. Spikelets are 10–28 mm long, more or less imbricate, appressed along the main rachis, 1 per rachis node (sometimes 2 at a few nodes), 3- to 11-flowered, and acute to awn-tipped (the lemma awns up to 2 mm long and straight). Auricles are up to 1.5 mm long and usually on the lower leaves. Ligules are very short (up to 0.5 mm long), membranous, truncate, erose-ciliolate, and glabrous.
General Info
Thickspike wheatgrass can be found in disturbed areas such as roadsides and railroads, sandy shores and dunes, dry to moist prairie habitats, sagebrush deserts, grasslands, exposed flat ridges, well-drained meadows, heavy alkaline flats, foothills, plains, and montane sites.
Similar Species
Thickspike wheatgrass can look similar to western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii). To differentiate these two species from each other, look for glumes that are broadest at or above mid-length with shortly tapering acute to acuminate tips of thickspike wheatgrass, and glumes that are gradually tapering from below mid-length to an acuminate tip that is often slightly curved of western wheatgrass.
Picture of growth habit.
Close-up picture of spike inflorescence.
Close-up picture of spikelet.
Close-up picture of membranous ligule and auricles.
Illustration of thickspike wheatgrass. USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. <i>Manual of the grasses of the United States</i>. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 200. Washington, DC.