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Elymus virginicus var. virginicus
Elymus virginicus L. var. virginicus
Virginia Wildrye, Virginia Wild Rye
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Elymus hirsutiglumis, Elymus jejunus, Elymus striatus, Elymus virginicus var. hirsutiglumis, Elymus virginicus var. intermedius, Elymus virginicus var. jejunus
USDA Symbol: ELVIV
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Lush green, erect-growing. (Ontario Native Plants 2002)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Spike
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Not ApplicableBloom Notes: The flowers (florets) of grasses are often minute and therefore not visible to the naked eye.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Fair grazing, seed and forage for birds and small mammals, used for denning and nesting material.Use Other: Good grazing for livestock.
Warning: The awns (seed husks) of this species and some other grass species with similarly barbed awns pose a serious threat of injury to dogs in which they can cause severe eye injuries. Do not use this grass in areas frequented by dogs.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: The Grass Family is an essential larval host for most branded skippers and most of the satyrs.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 26 - Minnesota Wildflowers: a field guide to the flora of Minnesota (2009)
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Elymus virginicus var. virginicus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Elymus virginicus var. virginicus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Elymus virginicus var. virginicus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2025-02-10Research By: TWC Staff