Scientific Name
Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Z.-W. Liu & R.-C. Wang (Synonyms: Agropyron elongatum)
Common Name(s)
Tall wheatgrass, rush wheatgrass, Eurasian quack grass
Tribe / Family Name
Triticeae
Flowering Period
May to June
Symbol
THPO7
Description
Tall wheatgrass is an introduced cool-season perennial bunchgrass. Culms range from 50–200 cm in height. Its inflorescence is an erect spike 10–42 cm long and not disarticulating at maturity. Spikelets are 13–30 mm long, often loose to open, 1 per rachis node, 6- to 12-flowered, and unawned. Auricles are up to 1.5 mm long. Ligules are inconspicuous (up to 1.5 mm long), membranous, truncate, ciliolate, and glabrous.
General Info
Tall wheatgrass is highly tolerant of saline and alkaline soils, and can be found in open, dry, disturbed sites including roadsides, trails, waste lots, and agricultural fields.
Similar Species
Tall wheatgrass may look similar to other tufted wheatgrass species. Remember to look at the oblong, thickened and hardened, prominently nerved, and blunt-tipped glumes when comparing it to other wheatgrasses.
Picture of growth habit.
Close-up picture of spike inflorescence.
Close-up picture of spikelet.
Close-up picture of subequal glumes. Note the blunt glume tips.
Illustration of ligule and auricles. Glen Cole, 2017.
Illustration of tall wheatgrass. Glen Cole, 2017.