Selected North Dakota and Minnesota Range Plants (continued)EB-69, 1998 Common Name: Mat muhly Species: Muhlenbergia richardsonis (Trin.) Rydberg. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Eragrosteae
Description: A clumped, shallow-rooted, but widely rhizomatous delicate perennial 1-7 dm tall. Culms are erect, slender, solid, slightly flattened, and nodes minutely rough. Leaf blades rolled to C-shaped in the cross-section of the bud, flat to rolled at maturity, usually rough to touch, 1-5 cm long, 0.6-1.5 mm wide. Leaf sheaths having rough nodes; ligules membranaceous, terminating into a sharp point, 1.1-3.1 mm long. Spikelets 1(2)-flowered; glumes sharply pointed, 1-nerved, about equal in size, 0.6-1.8 mm long; lemma also sharply pointed, 2-3 mm long, 3(5)-nerved, not pubescent. Anthers 1-1.6 mm long. Seed 1.2-1.5 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A warm season grass beginning growth in early May and flowering in late July to September. Habitat: Mat muhly can be found growing on a wide variety of soils and anywhere from moist to dry prairies. It is found on shallow, moist, slightly saline soils, as well as on dry uplands. This species also invades eroded sites where other plants cannot establish themselves. Distribution: Occurs throughout southern Canada and west of the Mississippi River in the United States. It can be found throughout North Dakota except for the northeastern corner of the state and throughout most of the prairie region of Minnesota. Forage Value: This species provides fair forage for cattle and horses, poor for sheep. Because of its wiry leaves, mat muhly is grazed sparingly when more palatable plants are available but eaten more readily as palatable species become scarce. Mat muhly cures well on the stem and is eaten readily on winter pasture. Protein and phosphorus levels are lower than other associated grass species during the spring. This species is classified as an increaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: Mat muhly provides little to no forage value to hoofed mammals, rodents, songbirds, upland gamebirds, and waterfowl. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Names: Species: Poa sandbergii Vasey
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Poeae
Description: A strongly tufted, bunchgrass perennial, forming large clumps, 1.5-3.5 dm tall. Culms are circular and erect. Leaves distributed mostly toward the base; leaf blades folded to rolled inward, mostly 1-10 cm long, 0.5-1.8 mm wide. Leaf sheaths rounded or slightly keeled, closed at the base; ligules sharply pointed, 1-3.5 mm long. Inflorescence slender, condensed or compacted, 2.5-7.5 cm long, with lowest branches 2-3 in number. Spikelets 2- to 3(5)-flowered, elongate, slender, 4.8-7 mm long, 0.9-2 mm wide; glumes unequal, the first 1(3)-nerved, 2.2-4 mm long, the second 3-nerved, 2.8-5 mm long; lemmas rounded on back, minutely pubescent, 3-4.7 mm long. Anthers 1.2-2 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A cool season grass beginning growth in mid April. It flowers in late May or early June and matures by early July. It is of the earliest native grasses to green-up in the spring, which helps to identify Sandberg bluegrass. Habitat: Found on plains, hillsides, in dry woods, and on rocky slopes. It has adapted to a wide variety of soils, but is most abundant on deep sandy to silt loam soils. Often associated with droughty soils. Distribution: Found in most states from the Dakotas, north to the Yukon, and south to California. This grass is most common in western North Dakota and is seldom found in central North Dakota. Forage Value: This species provides fair forage value for cattle and poor to fair value for sheep and horses. The leaves are not very palatable and the plant is a low forage producer. The plant provides the most palatable forage when temperatures are cool, moisture is adequate, and the plant remains green. The plant becomes rank rapidly once maturity sets in, causing livestock to avoid it due to its unpalatability. The crude protein is as high as 20-25 percent in April but reduces to less than 5 percent by July. This plant is classified as an increaser with grazing pressure and has been considered a pasture weed due to stand increases when better grasses are killed from drought or overgrazing. Wildlife Value: This plant provides fair forage value to white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, and mountain sheep when green and lush in the spring. Seeds provide feed for many songbirds and small rodents, mourning doves, and ring-necked pheasant. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Green muhly, Marsh muhly Species: Muhlenbergia racemosa (Michx.) B.S.P. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Eragrosteae
Description: A strongly rhizomatous perennial growing 3-8 dm tall. The culms are erect, hollow, branched above, with internodes smooth and shining; however, may be minutely pubescent and roughened, especially near top. Leaf blades rolled in the bud, flat at maturity, smooth to minutely rough to the touch, 3-17 cm long, and 2.2-5 mm wide. The sheaths are keeled, also smooth to minutely rough to the touch; ligules membranaceous, 1-1.5 mm long. The panicle is dense, often lobed, 3-13 cm long, usually exserted on peduncles, sometimes included partly in the leaf sheath. Glumes are 1-nerved, slender, tapering gradually to a scabrous awn, they are subequal with overall length 3.5-6 mm long. Lemma is 3-nerved, covered with soft, distinct hairs at the base, 2.5-3.8 mm long. Anthers 0.4-0.8 mm long. Seeds are 1.4-2.1 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A warm season grass beginning growth in early May, flowering from late July and setting seed until late September or early October. Habitat: Found on moist, sandy soils in meadows, prairies, along rivers, ditches, railroad rights-of-way, disturbed ground, pastures and woodlands. Distribution: Green muhly occurs in Manitoba and Alberta, Washington east to Michigan, south to Missouri, New Mexico, and Arizona. This grass can be found throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Forage Value: This species provides fair to good forage value for cattle when immature, but the value decreases rapidly with maturity. Green muhly exhibits poor to fair feed value for sheep, goats, and horses when immature and poor value when mature. This species is classified as an increaser to grazing pressure on favorable sites. Wildlife Value: This species provides little to no forage value to wildlife, either in the form of herbage or seeds to hoofed mammals, rodents, or birds. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Species: Oryzopsis hymenoides (R. & S.) Ricker Synonym: Eriocoma hymenoides (R. & S.) Rydb. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Stipeae
Description: Strongly tufted or bunched perennials which are 3.5-8 dm tall. Culms are erect, hollow to pith-filled, and smooth to the touch. Leaf blades are C-shaped in cross section to rolled in the bud, involute at maturity, strongly ribbed, and rough to the touch to minutely hairy above, smooth below, 8-40 cm long, and 0.8-2.9 mm wide. Leaf sheaths are usually smooth but with small hairs present on the overlapping margins and sometimes bearing inconspicuous tufts of long hairs at the collar; ligules with tapered to sharp point, 3-9 mm long. The panicle is 8-20 cm long, very open, slender branches, flexuous pedicels very widely spreading, with branching at least in part forked pairs. Glumes are ovate and terminate to a gradual tapering point, 3(5)-nerved, usually somewhat unequal, the first 4.9-8.2 mm long, the second 4.7-7.5 mm long; lemma 2.9-4.5 mm long, usually covered with numerous hairs which approach the length of the lemma, the awn of the lemma is usually firm and straight, 4-8 mm long. Anthers 0.6-1.2 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A cool season grass beginning growth in mid April and flowering in late May through July. Habitat: Most abundant on sandy or rocky soils in prairie, plains, and disturbed sites, but also common on well-drained silty and limy soils. Moderately tolerant to salt and alkali areas. Distribution: Occurs in western United States from Manitoba and British Columbia down to northern Mexico. This grass can be found in the western half of North Dakota and in one prairie county in Minnesota. Forage Value: This plant rates as one of the most palatable native grasses, providing good to excellent forage value for cattle, sheep, and horses. Indian ricegrass cures well when maturing, providing a good winter feed for grazing due to lower plant parts remaining somewhat green. The protein value is around 12 percent in early summer and about 7 percent when mature. This species is classified as a decreaser to grazing pressure and is a good indicator of good to excellent range condition. Wildlife Value: The forage of Indian ricegrass provides valuable feed for white-tailed deer and many small rodents. Mule deer may rely on Indian ricegrass for 5 to 10 percent of their diets when present. The seeds are very hard but are used by some songbirds and mourning doves. Other: Indian ricegrass produces a hard seed which is high in protein content. Many Native American tribes used the grain from this grass to make flour. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Switchgrass Species: Panicum virgatum L. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Paniceae
Description: A strongly rhizomatous perennial 5-14 dm tall, often forming a large clump. Culms are firm, hollow, erect, smooth or flatly compressed pubescents at the nodes. Leaf blades are flat to slightly rolled inward, triangular patch of hair at the base, particularily on the upper surface near the ligule, 15-55 cm long, 5-9 mm wide. Leaf sheath is not keeled, smooth to touch; ligules 2-4 mm long, consisting of a fringe of hairs from a short, membranaceous base. Panicles 20-30 cm long, very open and diffuse when mature; spikelets mostly 3.5-6 mm long. Glumes terminate in a sharp, tapering point, the first one 2.3-4.2 mm long, 3- to 5-nerved, the second glume 3.3-5.5 mm long, 7- to 9-nerved; lower lemma usually shorter than second glume, 5- to 7-nerved; upper lemma smooth, 2.4-3.5 mm long; lower palea prominant, 2.4-4.2 mm long. Anthers often present in the floret, 1.3-2.3 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A warm season grass starting growth in early May and flowering from late July through September. Habitat: Switchgrass has adapted to a broad range of soil textures, and is most common in moist lowland prairies, open prairie, open woodlands, and other moist areas. Commonly planted on moist soils due to ability to tolerate flooding for short periods. Distribution: Occurs throughout the Great Plains found from Nova Scotia, Ontario and Maine to North Dakota, south to Florida, Nevada, and Arizona. It also can be found in Mexico and Central America. This grass can be found throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Forage Value: This species is palatable when young and immature and readily grazed until flowering stage. It provides good forage for cattle and horses and fair forage for sheep when in vegetative growth stage; as the plant matures in mid-summer, nutrient content and palatability decline dramatically. Switchgrass also provides good hay when cut prior to or during the boot stage and still green. Crude protein is 16-18 percent in late spring, less than 8-10 percent in August, declining to 5-7 percent at maturity. This species is classified as a decreaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: The plant provides fair to good forage value for white-tailed deer and some rodents in the immature growth stage, becoming unpalatable when mature. The seeds are used sparingly by songbirds and upland gamebirds. Other: Switchgrass is a valuable warm season grass for reseeding cultivated lands to native grass mixes. This plant is relatively easy to establish compared to most warm season grasses and provides a good mix with cool season grasses for native seedings. Switchgrass has been planted for warm season pastures for summer grazing and for hayland that is harvested after alfalfa and cool season hay fields. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Witchgrass, Common witchgrass, Ticklegrass Species: Panicum capillare L. Synonym: Panicum barbipulvinatum Nash Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Paniceae
Description: A tufted annual growing 2-7 dm tall. Culms hollow, often somewhat spreading and bent below, nearly circular to slightly flattened, thinly pubescent near the node. Leaf blades are flat, ridged hairs on margins near base or sometimes throughout, mostly 6-20 cm long, 6-16 mm wide; sheaths have small pimplelike projections that contain ridged hairs. The ligule is 0.5-2.2 mm long, consisting of a fringe of hairs from a short basal membrane. Panicles are open, very diffuse, usually purplish at maturity, 10-30 cm long, often as wide as long at maturity, usually partly encased in the uppermost leaf sheath; spikelets tapering gradually to point, 2-3 mm long; first glume sharply pointed, 3- to 7-nerved, 0.8-1.5 mm long, second glume 7- to 9-nerved, 2-2.8 mm long. Lemma similar to second glume in size; palea of lower floret absent. Anthers absent from lower floret, 0.7-1.1 mm long in upper floret. Origin: Native Growing Season: A warm season grass beginning growth in early May, flowering in July, and maturing by October. Habitat: This grass has adapted to a variety of soil types, most commonly found on cultivated lands, disturbed areas, and prairies in poor to fair condition. Often considered a nuisance on disturbed ground. Distribution: Witchgrass can be found throughout the United States and southern Canada. It is a common weed throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Forage Value: This species provides fair forage to most classes of livestock, remaining somewhat palatable until seed heads appear. When mature, witchgrass is considered a worthless forage and considered a damaging weed to hay quality. This plant is considered an increaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: The foliage of this plant species provides some forage value for grazing and browsing wildlife during early growth stages, but is not used by wildlife to any high degree. The seeds of this plant are plentiful and very small, providing an excellent feed source for many ground feeding songbirds and gamebirds, including doves and ring-necked pheasants. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Reed canarygrass Species: Phalaris arundinacea L. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Aveneae
Description: A strongly rhizomatous perennial, 9-16 dm tall. Culms are erect to bent sharply at the base. Leaf blades are flat, smooth to rough, mostly 7-41 cm long, 7-16 mm wide. Leaf sheaths conspicuously air-chambered; ligules 3-7 mm long. Panicles dense, lobed, often somewhat reddish in color during anthesis and becoming straw-colored in fruit, 6-18 cm long. Glumes are subequal, 3.4-5.5 mm long; sterile florets 0.6-2 mm long, tapering toward the tip, pubescent; fertile florets smooth to somewhat pubescent, becoming shiny, 2.7-4.2 mm long. Anthers 1.8-3.4 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A cool season grass that begins growth in late April and usually flowers in June and July. Habitat: This grass is found in wet areas including swales, marshes, and ditches, often becoming dominant in many moist locations. It also has adapted to upland areas of high precipitation, but is most common in the wet lowlands. Distribution: Occurs in northwestern and northcentral regions of the United States, commonly found throughout the northern Great Plains region. Reed canarygrass is quite common throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Forage Value: Reed canarygrass is palatable and a good forage for all classes of livestock, especially cattle and horses. It is a good grazable grass that is often eaten eagerly, especially after upland grasses have become mature and less palatable. This species also produces excellent hay, however, as with many wetland grasses, it produces a soft, wet hay that is somewhat wasty and may cause livestock to become diaretic. Protein is often greater than 20 percent in early spring, remaining at levels of 8-10 percent when headed. This species is classified as a decreaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: This species will provide good to excellent forage for white-tailed deer, rabbits and some small rodents in North Dakota. Reed canarygrass is best known for its wildlife values through seed production. The seeds of this grass are often used for cagebirds and other exotic bird species. The seed is used by many songbirds and ring-necked pheasants. Dense strands of reed canary grass also provide excellent nesting habitat for waterfowl and some shorebirds. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Timothy Species: Phleum pratense L. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Aveneae
Description: A tufted or solitary stemmed perennial that grows from 5.5-10 dm tall. Culms are erect, often bent below or near the base, bulbous-based, smooth to touch. Leaf blades rolled in the bud, flattened at maturity, smooth or rough, 3-27 cm long, 2.4-8 mm wide. Leaf sheaths smooth, open; ligules membranaceous, 1.2-5 mm long; auricles none. Inflorescence a cylindrical, condensed, spikelike panicle, 2-15 cm long and 5.5-9 mm wide when pressed; spikelets 1-flowered, jointed above the glumes and eventually below the glumes as well, fruit sometimes retained until well after maturity. Glumes about equal, laterally compressed, the 3 nerves crowded in the center, midrib long with soft hairs, margins membranaceous, the body 1.8-3.2 mm long, nerves extended into a thickish awn 0.5-1.5 mm long. Lemma delicate, membranaceous, 1.3-2.4 mm long, 5-nerved, unawned or central nerve extended with an awnlike point. Palea a little shorter than the lemma and membranaceous. Anthers 1.3-2.4 mm long. Origin: Introduced from Eurasia, considered naturalized in the United States. Growing Season: A cool season grass that begins growth in late April and flowers by early June, setting seed by late July to early August. Habitat: Timothy has adapted to many different areas but is most commonly planted in more humid and cooler regions, especially where moisture is ample. It can be found in pastures, hayland, roadsides, lawns, conservation reserve program lands, and ditches. Distribution: This grass occurs throughout the United States except for the extreme southern states. Timothy is not commonly grown in North Dakota because it lacks winter-hardiness. When planted in North Dakota, grown primarily in the southeast. This plant occurs throughout Minnesota. Forage Value: This species will provide good to excellent grazing or hayed forage to all classes of livestock. It is especially palatable for cattle and horses. Often seeded for pasture in eastern and northcentral United States, but not recommended for pastureland or hayland in North Dakota due to lack of winter-hardiness and intolerance to heavy grazing. Crude protein values are 15-20 percent in early growth stages, and 7-8 percent at maturity. This species is considered an invader on native rangeland, but reduces dramatically with grazing pressure when present. Wildlife Value: This species' foliage is very palatable for deer and elk, with the seeds used by some songbirds. Since timothy is not common, it provides little wildlife value. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Common reedgrass Species: Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe:
Description: A rhizomatous perennial 13-30 dm tall. Culms are stout, erect, circular, smooth, and hollow. Leaf blades are rolled in the bud, flat at maturity, smooth, mostly 25-55 cm long, 1-4 cm wide. Leaf sheaths are open, clearly cross divided by partitions in transmitted light. Ligule a membrane 0.3-1.2 mm long, fringed with short to long hairs, auricles lacking. Inflorescence a dense featherlike panicle 20-35 cm long, branches are nodding at maturity; spikelets 3- to 6-flowered, jointing above the glumes and at the base of each rachilla internode; internodes between the flowers are covered with long, silky hairs. Glumes are much longer than broad with three principal nerves, sometimes with additional secondary nerves, unequal with first glume half the length of second, second 5.5-8 mm long. Lemmas are 3-nerved, lowest lemma awnless; staminate 8-12 mm long, the upper lemma smaller, awned, pistillate to perfect. Anthers 0.9-2.1 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A cool season plant that begins growth in May, flowering occurs in July, setting seed usually occurs in August and September. Habitat: Common reed is North Dakota's largest grass along ponds and wet places, commonly found in areas that are constantly wet from seepage. It is most common along rivers, streams, lake borders, potholes, wetlands, and marshes. Distribution: This species is quite common throughout the Great Plains region. It can be found throughout North Dakota and Minnesota in areas that remain wet for most of the growing season. Forage Value: This species provides good forage for all classes of livestock when accessible, especially in the spring and summer. This water-loving plant stays green and palatable even when maturing, providing forage later into the grazing season when upland prairie goes dormant. This plant also provides good hay when soil is dry and accessible. This species is classified as a decreaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: This plant will provide fair to good forage value to white-tailed deer, moose and some small mammals during the spring, summer and fall periods. Common reedgrass will also provide protective habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds, white-tailed deer, fur-bearing mammals, and small rodents. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Plains bluegrass Species: Poa arida Vasey.
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Poeae
Description: Long-rhizomatous to short-rhizomatous, sod-forming perennial 3-8 dm tall. Culms circular to flattened but not sharply 2-edged. Blades folded to somewhat involute or flat, the tips often not boat-shaped, 1-30 cm long, mostly 1.8-3.5 mm wide; sheaths usually closed only near the base, not keeled; ligules 3-5 mm long, acute. Panicles rather contracted, 6.5-12.5 cm long, spikelets 3- to 7(9)-flowered, 4.5-8 mm long and 1.5-2.5 mm wide when fully developed but unopened; glumes somewhat unequal, 1(3)-nerved, the first 2.4-3.6 mm long, second 3-4.2 mm long; lemmas mostly 2.9-4 mm long, rather broad, normally more than 1/5 as wide as long in side view, strongly to rather weakly keeled, having long, soft hairs on the mid and lateral nerves and often pubescent between the nerves toward the base, cobweb none. Anthers 1.2-2.1 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A cool season grass which begins growing in April and matures mostly in June but as late as August. Habitat: This species is frequently found in alkaline coulees or on flats. May also be found on dry or moist areas in pastures, along roads and railroads, and often where sandy or alkaline soils exist. Distribution: Occurs throughout the Great Plains, from Manitoba to Alberta, south to Iowa, Texas and New Mexico. This species is found throughout North Dakota except for the Red River Valley. Forage Value: This species is palatable to all classes of livestock in the early growth stages, particularly cattle. It will provide high quality forage early and diminish throughout the summer. Wildlife Value: This species will provide some forage value to grazing wildlife, including large and small mammals. The seeds are utilized by songbirds and upland gamebirds but supply less than 2-5 percent of their diets. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Kentucky bluegrass Species: Poa pratensis L. Synonym: P. agassizensis Boivin & Love Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Poeae
Description: Strongly rhizomatous, mat-forming perennial 1-10 dm tall. Culms erect, nearly circular to slightly flattened. Blades flat to folded, 1-15 cm long, 0.9-3.6 mm wide; sheaths rounded to slightly keeled, closed around the lower half, ligules truncate, those of the culm leaves 0.7-2.1 mm long. Panicles moderately open to somewhat contracted, 3.5-12.5 cm long and 1.2-2 mm wide when mature but unopened; glumes unequal, rough to the touch on the keels, the first 1-nerved, 1.7-3.3 mm long, the second 3-nerved, 2-3.8 mm long; lemmas sharply keeled, the lowest one 2.6-3.8 mm long, having long, soft hairs on the keel and marginal nerves, copiously webbed at the base. Anthers 1.1-1.7 mm long. Origin: Considered both native and naturalized; however, most commonly classified as an introduced species that has become naturalized in North America. Growing Season: Kentucky bluegrass is one of the first grass species to begin growing in North Dakota, emerging in late March and early April and maturing by late June. If moisture is available in mid and late summer, this species will produce September and October regrowth. If summers remain moist and cool, Kentucky bluegrass can remain green and lush throughout the growing season, especially under a rotational grazing program. Habitat: This species occurs on moist, well-drained soils, in meadows, pastures, and open woods. Commonly found in many ditches along roadsides and railroad rights-of-way. It is well adapted to growth in the cool, humid climate of the northern half of the United States. May dominate a plant community or an entire pasture, especially when long-term overgrazing occurs. This species increases without grazing. Distribution: Widespread throughout Canada and most of the United States, also found in Eurasia. Kentucky bluegrass can be found throughout North Dakota, abundant mostly in the eastern half, but occurring to some extent in the ravines among shrubs and trees, overflowing swales in pastures, and along water courses in the western half of the United States. This species occurs throughout Minnesota. Forage Value: This species ranks as one of the most palatable pasture grasses in the state when immature. It provides a tender, succulent forage for early grazing. The tough sod formed by this grass is capable of withstanding heavy grazing and trampling by livestock. Kentucky bluegrass provides excellent forage for cattle and horses and good forage for sheep. This species has the disadvantage of becoming dormant during the heat of the summer, providing little forage during this time period. It also must be utilized by grazing or haying and not allowed to mature or it becomes stemmy and unpalatable. Crude protein content may be as high as 25 to 30 percent in early spring, dropping rapidly with maturity. Protein content will drop to 6 to 9 percent by late June and under 4 percent in July and August. Kentucky bluegrass may rebound to as high as 13 percent protein in August and September if moisture occurs for regrowth. Kentucky bluegrass is classified as an increaser to grazing pressure or with no grazing. Wildlife Value: This species provides a high quality, very palatable forage for all grazing wildlife, including deer, elk, rabbits, and rodents. This species may provide up to 10 percent of the diets of mountain sheep, deer and cottontail rabbits. The seeds will provide 2 to 5 percent of the diets of many upland game birds and songbirds. When this species dominates the plant community, it may provide 25 to 50 percent of the American coot's diet, however reduces nesting habitat for many birds. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Names: Nuttall alkaligrass, Nuttall's salt-meadowgrass Species: Puccinellia nuttalliana (Schult.) Hitchc. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Poeae
Description: Tufted bunchgrass perennial 2.5-6.5 dm tall. Culms are erect, smooth to the touch to somewhat finely rough to the touch. Blades are C-shaped in cross-section in the bud, usually involute at maturity, strongly ribbed and rough to the touch on the upper surface, mostly 1-15 cm long and 0.8-2.6 mm wide; sheaths basally closed, tight fitting, not keeled, the lower ones becoming air-chambered at maturity; ligules usually pointed, those of the culm leaves 1.5-3.0 mm long. Panicles 7-26 cm long, the branches erect to spreading, rarely the lower most reflexed; (2)4- to 6(7)-flowered, 4.5-6 mm long, 0.9-2 mm wide; glumes unequal, the first 0.8-1.7 mm long, the second 1.3-2.1 mm long; lemmas narrowed toward the tip, usually pointed, the lowest 1.9-2.5 mm long. Anthers exerted or retained within the spikelet, extremely variable in size, the smaller sizes tending to be retained within the spikelet which contain them, 0.2-0.9 mm long; grain 0.9-1.5 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A cool season grass which begins growing in mid to late May, maturing in July and August. Habitat: This species is an occupant of moist, usually alkaline or saline soils. Commonly found in scattered tufts at edges of ponds or lakes, and on saline, wet flats. Nearly pure stands occur in highly saline, wet soils. Distribution: Occurs from Wisconsin west to Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and up to British Columbia, south to northern and western South Dakota, western Nebraska, western Kansas and west to Wyoming, Colorado, and California. This species has been introduced to the northeastern region of the United States. Nuttall's alkaligrass can be found throughout North Dakota and in the western prairie region of Minnesota where soils are wet and alkaline or saline. Forage Value: Although this species is not normally abundant, it is grazed quite readily by livestock and is very palatable in its early growth stages. When abundant, this species may furnish considerable forage for all classes of livestock, especially cattle. Nuttall's alkaligrass has a relatively high crude protein content in early maturity but becomes relatively low in protein content and high in fiber and ash as it matures. Palatability also declines with maturity. This species is considered a decreaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: This species is not considered of high value for most wildlife with the exception of the Canada goose. It may supply 0.5-2 percent of the diet in areas containing this species. Since it is palatable in its early growth stages, it will provide forage for small mammals and large herbivores, but they normally will not specifically seek it out. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Blowout grass Species: Redfieldia flexuosa (Thurb.) Vasey Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Eragrosteae
Description: Sod-forming perennial 5.5-9 dm tall from scaly rhizomes, often buried deep in the sand. Culms ascending with basal portion usually buried in the sand and rooting at the nodes, solid. Blades are rolled in the bud, involute at maturity, firm, curving alternately in opposite directions, smooth, but with evenly spaced narrow furrows on both sides with scabrosity apparent in the furrows, mostly 40-70 cm long, 2-4 mm wide near the base but tapering into a long, threadlike tip; sheaths firm, open, smooth, but with evenly spaced narrow furrows on both sides with scabrosity apparent in the furrows, not keeled, the lower ones sometimes flat with pubescence near the base, the ones below the ground surface often splitting into brownish fibers; ligules a dense fringe of hairs from a very short basal membrane, 0.9-1.6 mm long; auricles none. Inflorescence an open panicle with delicate, curving branches, 23-46 cm long; spikelets (1)2-4(5) flowered, disarticulating above the glumes and between the florets; glumes 1-nerved or the second 2- or 3-nerved, acute to acuminate, the first 1.8-4.1 mm long, the second 2.2-4.5 mm long; lemmas acute to acuminate, 3-nerved, each one with a tuft of hairs at the base, the lowest one 4.2-6 mm long. Anthers 2.2-3.6 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A warm season grass which begins growing in late May to early June. Matures mainly in July and August but may continue into September and October. Habitat: This species is commonly found in loose, sandy soils, often associated with sand blowouts. It is often the first grass to invade bare sand and is useful in reducing the blowing process. Distribution: Occurs from North Dakota south to Oklahoma, west to Utah and Arizona. Can also be found in remote areas of Texas and Colorado where sand is the predominant soil type. This species is found in the areas of North Dakota where sand is the dominant soil type, particularly found in Ransom, Richland, Kidder, and McHenry counties. Forage Value: This species is considered unpalatable for all classes of livestock due to its hard, wiry leaves. This is probably fortunate because of its desirable characteristic of soil binding and soil stabilizing. Wildlife Value: This species is of very little consequence to grazing or browsing mammals, small or large. The seeds produced from blowout grass may be utilized by songbirds and upland gamebirds as feed but have not been documented in the literature to date. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ] EB-69, 1998
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Morrill Hall, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050
