Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

Not Yet Rated

Monday - May 21, 2007

From: Victor, ID
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Difference between Pseudoroegneria spicata and Elymus trachycaulus
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

What is the difference between Pseudoroegneria spicata and Elymus trachycaulus.

ANSWER:

The differences are minor. The species of the genus Pseudoroegneria have been included in Elymus by some authorities. The most distinguishable morphological difference is in the awns of the lemmas of the two species. The awns of Pseudoroegneria spicata are typically sharply reflexed and diverge from the culm giving the plant a rather unkempt appearance, while the awns of Elymus trachycaulus - if present - are usually straight and are held more-or-less parallel to the culm. The Grass Manual on the Web is an excellent resource for more information on these and other North American grasses.

Native Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

rate this answer

Monday - May 21, 2007

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions