SPECIES

HABITAT

GROWTH FORM

LIFE SPAN

PALAT.

(1)

PUF

(2)

GRAZING

(3)

FIRE

(4)

REMARKS

GRASSES

Barley Tribe

Agropyron cristatum

Crested wheatgrass

introduced; adapted to dry, open grassland

bunchgrass

P

good (early)

60%

good tolerance;

invader

less sensitive than Idaho fescue or Stipa; late summer least damaging

provides early season grazing

Elymus elymoides

Bottlebrush squirrel tail

dry open forests

bunchgrass-densely tufted

P

good to poor depending on location

50%

increaser

less sensitive than Idaho fescue or Stipa; one of most resistant bunchgrasses; responds to fall burning - damaged by spring burn

can be confused with foxtail barley

Elymus glaucus

Blue wildrye

low to mid elevation forest openings; moist sites

bunchgrass; small tufts

P

good to fair early season; poor after seedhead

60%

(12cm)

moderate tolerance; decreaser

indirect evidence indicates somewhat susceptible; often abundant on old burns; seedlings develop rapidly under reduced competion

responds quickly to rest; reproduces from seed; indicates good soil and properly utilized range

Elymus lanceolatus

Northern wheatgrass

grassland; clay, loam and sandy soils

rhizomatous; sod-forming

P

good

50%

good tolerance; decreaser

increases in abundance after fire; growing points often not affected

Peace River area