Western Wheatgrass

Kiowa Conservation District
PO BOX 688/ 7519 E. Hwy 86, Franktown, CO

303-621-2070 ext. 101

Helping People Help The Land in Elbert County Colorado

Color Picture	Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii Native to US and is the major range grass of northern and central Great Plains but occurs in every western state. Medium height cool season, long-lived, coarse-leaf, sod-forming perennial grass. One to 3' tall, with strong spreading rhizomes. Bluish green leaves. Flowers are a short, stiff spike 2 to 6" long with spikelets tightly overlapping and somewhat flattened with 4 to 10 flowers per spikelet.
Preferences	Likes fine-textured soils with moderate to higher moisture levels. Will tolerate coarser soils and often planted in the Great Plains. Tolerant of strong soil salinity and poor drainage, water tables to 6" of surface and also of early spring flooding. Grows up to 9,000" elevation.
Uses	Used for pasture and hay. Also used in erosion control in conservation practices and in critical area soil stabilization and mine reclamation. Leave 3 to 4" stubble when grazing to maintain stands. Palatable in early growth stages.
Planting	Drill 1/2 to 3/4" deep in fine- and medium-textured soils. Cover lightly if broadcasted. Control weeds in early part of first growing season with herbicides, skillful grazing management or mowing.