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Indian ricegrass
Scientific Name: Achnatherum hymenoides
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Indian Ricegrass
Indian Ricegrass, with its graceful appearance and historical significance, is a captivating plant with several interesting facets.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Oryzopsis hymenoides
- Synonyms: Stipa hymenoides, Achnatherum hymenoides
- Common Names: Indian ricegrass, sand rice grass
- Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
- Genus: Achnatherum, Oryzopsis, Stipa
- Species: hymenoides
Distribution and Habitat
- Indian ricegrass is widely distributed throughout the western United States, including British Columbia, the Dakotas, Utah, Nevada, and Montana.
- It is drought-tolerant and can be found on most of Utah's range sites.
- It thrives in deep, well-drained soils.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- It is a perennial cool-season bunchgrass.
- Typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet.
- Features sage-green, wiry foliage and ivory-colored seedheads, giving it an overall light appearance.
- Flowering occurs from May to July.
- Densely tufted.
Ecological Role
- Valuable forage grass for domestic sheep, cattle, and horses.
- Important cattle forage in winter, especially in salt desert communities.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The seed is readily eaten by many species of birds.
Traditional Uses
- Native inhabitants of the American Southwest used it as a staple wild grain.
- The grain was ground into flour.