Poaceae
Grass Family
Elymus canadensis L.
- Stem: perennial; tufted; 3’ to 4’ tall; smooth.
- Leaves: sheath smooth; ligule 1/32” long, membranous with tiny hairs on the margin; blade 6” to 8” by 3/8”, often somewhat inrolled, at a 45° angle with stem, auricles hooked, smooth.
- Inflorescence: spike with two to several spikelets at each node; 4” to 6” long, drooping.
- Spikelets: narrow glumes, 1/2” long, tapering into 1/2” awn, lemma 1/2” with 1” curving awn; flowering from mid-July to mid-August.
- Fruits: fruiting begins in late July; fruits begin dropping in late August.
- Habitat: common on upland to lowland prairies; also in open woods, on roadsides, and in open places; vigorous in disturbed sites.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
