Description

Thinopyrum ponticum, Tall Wheatgrass
(old nomenclature: Agropyron elongata) (Introduced)

Tall, 3 – 10 ft., vigorous, long-lived, very late-maturing, cool-season bunchgrass. Adapted to a wide range of soils and climates, Very tolerant of salt, alkali and high water tables. Fair palatability, not tolerant to close grazing. Useful for pasture, reclamation, range, watershed, and wildlife habitat improvement. Minimum precip. is 8 – 10 inches. Plant fall or spring ¼ – ½ inch deep. 120,000 seeds/lb.

Named Releases: ‘Alkar’ (Cultivar) Released in 1951 by the Pullman PMC. Intended use was for pasture in wet, alkaline conditions and semi-arid regions of the west from low to medium elevations.

‘Jose’ (Cultivar) Selected by the NRCS in Albuquerque, NM. Ecotype is native to Eurasia, selected for drought and saline tolerance. Less course than other tall wheatgrass.

‘Orbit’ (Cultivar) Developed and released in Canada in 1966. Selected for superior winter hardiness.

USDA: Plant Profile | Plant Guide