Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii)

Also Known As: Bluestem, Bluejoint, Western couchgrass, Colorado bluestem, Smith bluestem
Plant Family: Grasses (Poaceae)

Identification Guide: *Print version
Phenophase Field Guide: *Print version

2009 Live Map - View

Did you Know? Western wheatgrass is used as forage for all classes of livestock and wildlife. It is a preferred feed in spring for cattle, horses, deer, and elk. This grass can be used in urban areas where irrigation water is limited to provide ground cover and to stabilize ditch banks, dikes, and roadsides. Western wheatgrass is the official state grass of both North and South Dakota.

Identification Hints: Western wheatgrass is similar to other wheatgrasses, however, it is coarser, its rhizomatous trait is more aggressive, and its coloration is blue-green or gray rather than green. The technical distinction of this species is the shape of the glume (the first leaf-like structure at the base of the spikelets), which is not widest in the middle but tapers from the base.

Phenological Observations of Interest: First Flower Stalk, First Pollen, End of Pollen, First Ripe Fruit, All Leaves Withered

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2009 Live Map for Western wheatgrass

Below you can view the latest 100 observations that have been reported in 2009 for Western wheatgrass (If the map below is empty then there have not been any 2009 observations reported.)

Use the navigation buttons on the left to zoom in/out and pan around. Click on each place marker to get detail information about that observation.

= First Flower Stalk
= First Pollen
= End of Pollen
= First Ripe Fruit
= All Leaves Withered

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