Elymus (caninus)

Mark E. Majerus USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center 99 South River Road, Rte. 2, Box 1189 Bridger, Montana 59014-9718 (406) 662-3579 (406) 662-3428 (fax) mmajerus@mt.nrcs.usda.gov http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/mtpmc

---

Family Scientific Name:	Poaceae
Family Common Name:	Grass
Scientific Name:	Elymus caninus
Common Name:	Bearded wheatgrass
Species Code:	ELCA11
Ecotype:	See
General Distribution:	Moist meadows and open woods in the mountains; Newfoundland to Alaska, south to the mountains of Maryland, west to Washington and California, and south to New Mexico and Arizona.
Propagation Goal:	seeds
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Harvest yields vary due to weather and age of stand. Average annual production is 179 kg/ha (160 lbs/ac).
Propagule Collection:	Wildland collection occurs mid August to early September when caryopsis are tan-brown, at the hard dough stage, and not yet shattering (natural dispersal) from the erect spike; easily hand-harvested.p One collection hour/person will yield an average 159 grams (5.6 oz) clean seed (ranges 68 to 411 grams and varies by year, stand density, and collector experience).
Propagule Processing:	Seed Processing: Seed is spread out on a tarp in a dry, sheltered environment and turned daily for approximately 3-5 days, until no moisture or warmth is detected. After drying, material is processed with a Wintersteiger plot combine at concave 1/4 open, speed 1000 rpm, and medium wind. Seed is threshed with a hammermill through a 8/64" round hole screen, and air-screen processed on a Clipper M2B or Eclipse cleaner over a 10/64" round hole screen. Due to medium-sized seed, fairly persistent awns, and reduced seed flow, this species is moderately easy to clean. Larger seed lots are processed most efficiently with mechanized cleaning equipment and smaller seed lots usually require more hand labor. Seeds/Kg: 324,000. Purity: 100%.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Seed Treatments: None required.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Propagation Environment: Seedbed is firm and free of weeds with good field moisture to 4" depth. Seed Propagation Method: Direct seeding.
Establishment Phase:	Sowing Date: Spring or dormant fall. Sowing/Planting Technique: 25-30 pure live seed/ft. (0.3 m) row, irrigated 91cm (36 in) row spacing, seeded with 2-row double-disk planter with depth bands, optimum seeding depth 0.6 cm (0.25 in). Establishment Phase: Soil surface is kept moist throughout the 14 day germination and emergence period (also helps prevent soil crusting); lower rates of Buctryl or bromoxynil are applied at 3-5 leaf stage to control broadleaf weeds. Fertilizer application is not recommended the first year, as it generally stimulates weed growth and competition.
Length of Establishment Phase:	2 growing seasons.
Active Growth Phase:	Rapid Growth Phase: Spring to fall; broadleaf weed control with herbicides must occur prior to boot stage; soil moisture is critical during boot stage, milk stage of seed development, and post harvest to pre-freezeup - no irrigation is applied during flowering (pollination); fertilizer is broadcast at 100 lbs actual N/40 lbs actual P/acre in mid-September.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	2 to 3 growing seasons
Hardening Phase:	N/A.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Harvest Date: Cultivated harvest occurs early to mid July, with a mean harvest date of July 9 at the Bridger Plant Materials Center. A John Deer swather is used to cut stems into windrows for direct combining, or, to minimize seed loss, a temporary "diaper"- a heavy piece of plastic or canvas clipped under belt draper - is attached for direct catchment. Seed Storage: Seed is placed in plastic seed bags and stored in a cool, dry environment. Seed Dormancy: Classified as physiological dormancy.
Length of Storage:	<b>Storage Duration:</b> 5 to 7 years.
Other Comments:	Ecotype: 2 different Yellowstone National Park accessions periodically collected and produced from 1989 to 1996. Ecological zone is Idaho fescue/bearded wheatgrass type. Elevation 2,195 m and 2,682 m (7,200 ft and 8,800 ft).
References:	Manual of the Grasses of the United States, A. S. Hitchcock, Second Edition, Two Volumes, Dover Publications, Inc., 1970. Flora of the Pacific Northwest, C. L. Hitchcock and A. Cronquist, University of Washington Press, 1973. Montana Interagency Plant Materials Handbook, Montana State University, Extension Service Bulletin EB 69, June 1990. Yellowstone Vegetation - Consequences of Environment and History in a Natural Setting, Don G. Despain, Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 1990. Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, C. C. Baskin and J. M. Baskin, Academic Press, 2001.

Citation:

Winslow, Susan R.. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Elymus caninus seeds USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/20). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.