Scientific Name
Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey (Synonyms: Sitanion hystrix)
Common Name(s)
Bottlebrush squirreltail, squirreltail
Tribe / Family Name
Triticeae
Flowering Period
May to July
Symbol
ELEL5
Description
Bottlebrush squirreltail is a native cool-season perennial bunchgrass that reproduces from seeds and tillers. Culms range up to 45 cm in height. Its inflorescence is a bristly, erect spike up to 8 cm long, sometimes partially enclosed in a subtending sheath, and readily disarticulating at maturity. Spikelets are borne flatwise along the rachis, usually 2 per node, mostly 1- to 6-flowered, and awned (awns up to 80 mm long). Auricles are small (up to 1 mm long) and often purplish. Ligules are short (<1 mm long), membranous, truncate, and entire or lacerate.
General Info
This drought tolerant species can be found in disturbed areas, along roadsides and rocky slopes of deserts, sagebrush steppe, dry meadows, open woods, foothills, plains, and montane to alpine sites.
Similar Species
Bottlebrush squirreltail can look similar to foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum). To distinguish between the two, look for the stiff, scabrous, and widely spreading awns of bottlebrush squirreltail, and the straight silken and feathery awns of foxtail barley. Foxtail barley also lacks auricles.
Picture of growth habit.
Close-up picture of spike inflorescence.
Close-up illustration of the spikelet. Glen Cole, 2017.
Close-up picture of membranous ligule and auricle.
Illustration of squirreltail. Glen Cole, 2017.