Elymus elymoides
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Elymus elymoides NPS-1.jpg
|status = G5
|status_system = TNC
|genus = Elymus
|species = elymoides
|synonyms = Sitanion hystrix
}}
Elymus elymoides is a species of wild rye known by the common name squirreltail. This grass is native to central and western North America.
Description
Elymus elymoides is a perennial bunch grass growing to around {{convert|0.5|m|ft|abbr=off|frac=2}} in height. Its erect solid stems have flat or rolled leaf blades. The inflorescence is up to {{convert|15|cm|abbr=off|frac=4}} long and somewhat stiff and erect, with spikelets 1 or 2 cm long not counting the awn, which may be {{Convert|9|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} long and sticks straight out at maturity, making the inflorescence look like a bottlebrush, and aiding wind dispersal of the seeds. In contrast, the early season spike is compact and reddish.{{cite book |author=Cathy Rose, Stephen Ingram |title= Rock Creek Wildflowers |year=2015 |publisher=California Native Plant Society Press}}
Subspecies
Subspecies include:
- E. e. ssp. brevifolius - widespread
- E. e. ssp. californicus - occurs in the western half of the species range
- E. e. ssp. elymoides - widespread
- E. e. ssp. hordeoides - limited mostly to the Pacific Northwest
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to most of North America west of the Mississippi River and occurs in a number of ecosystems, from the alpine zone to desert sage scrub to valley grassland.
Ecology
Image:Elymus elymoides squirrel-tail grass clump early-red.jpg
This grass is considered very good forage for sheep. It is best for grazing during the winter, when it is small and green. It becomes less palatable to livestock when its awns grow long and sharp at maturity.
Image:Elymus elymoides squirrel-tail grass clump late.jpgEvolving 55 million years ago, members of Poaceae produce wheat, rice, and barley cereal grains. Elymus elymoides is a specific type of wild rye that experiences competitive forces when introduced to invasive species, such as cheat grass (Bromus tectorum). E. elymoides experiences a decrease in fitness when growing concurrently with B. tectorum, leading to natural selection acting negatively on E. elymoides. This is perhaps best seen in the Great Basin, as the dry environment makes water a limiting resource, resulting in competition over it. B. tectorum
Competition also occurs between E. elymoides and the invasive crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum). When introduced, crested wheatgrass negatively affects mature E. elymoides, despite being able to effectively compete at the seedling stage.{{Verify source|date=March 2024}}
Uses
The genus Elymus is a part of the Poaceae, the grass family, which is the most economically important plant family to modern human civilization.
If crested wheatgrass is used in rehabilitation or restoration of a site, then co-planting a native bunch grass, such as E. elymoides, may be helpful in preventing a crested wheatgrass monoculture. Because E. elymoides populations decline when introduced to certain populations, squirreltail may benefit more from a monoculture setting.{{cite journal | last1 = Nafus | first1 = A. | last2 = Svejcar | first2 = T. | last3 = Ganskopp | first3 = D. | last4 = Davies | first4 = K. | year = 2015 | title = Abundances of Coplanted Native Bunchgrasses and Crested Wheatgrass after 13 Years | journal = Rangeland Ecology & Management | volume = 68 | issue = 5| pages = 211–214 | doi = 10.1016/j.rama.2015.01.011 | s2cid = 56435195 }} This characteristic is supported by another species, Elymus nutas. However, although it is successful as a monoculture food source, it results in a reduction of carbon transfer and decreased soil health when grown alone.Zhao, L., Chen, D., Zhao, N., Li, Q., Cheng, Q., Luo, C., . . . Zhao, X. (2015). Responses of carbon transfer, partitioning, and residence time to land use in the plant–soil system of an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Biol Fertil Soils Biology and Fertility of Soils, 781-790. Retrieved November 1, 2015. To preserve a prosperous Elymus elymoides food source, one must take into consideration its effects on the soil when grown alone, and its responses to competitive forces if grown with other plants.
References
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External links
- {{Commons-inline|italic=1}}
- {{Wikispecies-inline|Elymus elymoides|Elymus elymoides}}
- [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,8964,8968,8968 Jepson Manual Treatment: Elymus elymoides]
- [http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Elymus+elymoides Elymus elymoides — U.C. Photo gallery]
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Category:Bunchgrasses of North America
Category:Grasses of the United States
Category:Native grasses of the Great Plains region
Category:Native grasses of California
Category:Native grasses of Nebraska
Category:Native grasses of Oklahoma
Category:Native grasses of Texas
Category:Flora of Western Canada
Category:Flora of the Northwestern United States
Category:Flora of the Southwestern United States
Category:North American desert flora
Category:Flora of the Great Basin
Category:Flora of the California desert regions
Category:Flora of the Sonoran Deserts
Category:Flora of the Cascade Range
Category:Flora of the Klamath Mountains
Category:Flora of the Sierra Nevada (United States)
Category:Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
Category:Natural history of the Mojave Desert
Category:Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges