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crested wheatgrass
Scientific Name: Agropyron cristatum
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Crested Wheatgrass: A Versatile Forage Grass
Crested wheatgrass, scientifically known as Agropyron cristatum, is a perennial grass widely utilized for grazing, rangeland, and hay production. Common names include crested wheatgrass and fairway crested wheatgrass.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.
- Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
- Tribe: Triticeae (Wheatgrasses)
- Synonyms: A. desertorum syn. A. sibiricum
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Russia/Eurasia
- Widely introduced and planted throughout the Great Basin and western United States.
- Adapted to elevations ranging from 4000 to 8000 feet in Utah.
Ecological Role
- Can be invasive in native prairie ecosystems.
- Its effect on soil quality is becoming an environmental concern.
- Forms stable stands and can strongly dominate seed banks.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Perennial bunchgrass with fibrous roots.
- Long-lived and drought-tolerant.
- Exhibits excellent seedling vigor and competes successfully.
Uses
- Primarily used for forage production for livestock.
- Hay and pasture.
- Erosion control.
Quirky Facts
- Varieties were introduced from Russia in the 1930s.
- It was first imported into the United States in 1898.
Further Information
- University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet 96-53 "Crested Wheatgrass Use in Nevada"
- Fluxnet Site Code: US-Ru3 (Crested Wheatgrass Site)