Russian wildrye

Psathyrostachys juncea

Formerly Elymus junceus. Cool season, perennial bunchgrass with an extensive horizontal root system. Adapted a wide range of soil textures and infertile soils; moderately saline and alkaline tolerant. Very drought tolerant, surviving with as little as 8 in. annual precipitation. Cold hardy. May be difficult to establish, but extremely competitive and long-lived thereafter. Starts growth in early spring, produces abundant green basal leave forage. Excellent palatability and can be grazed from late summer through winter, retaining its protein content even when cured. Tolerant of heavy grazing and regrows quickly. Most of the forage sits low in the basal leaves; unsuited for hay production. Use also for arid rangelands, dryland pasture, green strips and fuel breaks.