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Intermediate Wheatgrass Elytrigia intermedia Native to USSR from around the Black Sea and Manchuria. Adapted over most of northwestern and western 1/3 of US. Introduced for range forage and conservation uses. Cool season, long lived, sod-former. Grows erect 2 to 4' tall with clumped, basal blue-green or green leaves with spreading rhizomes and a massive root system. |
| Preferences | Starts
growth early in spring. Good summer regrowth and fair fall
regrowth with ample moisture. Does best on fine-textured, medium
to high fertility soil in sub-humid climate. Tolerant of moderate saline and weakly acidic soils. Does not withstand overgrazing. Can tolerate early flooding 3 to 5 weeks and water table up to 3' depth. |
| Uses | Used
widely for forage, hay and pasture. Also used for conservation on
disturbed lands, roadways, ditch lands, etc. Palatable to cattle in spring and somewhat palatable in winter. Good palatability when green, but only fair in winter. |
| Planting | Drill
1/2 to 1" deep and even up to 1 1/2" in coarser soils. Can
be sodded in critical areas. Practice weed control especially in seedling stages. Do not graze until headed and firmly rooted. |