Creeping Rye Grass – Leymus triticoides (formerly Elymus triticoides) (LIE (LAY)-mus trih-tih-coe-EE-deez)

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family) Native to: Western N. America, including CA (except desert). Found in many plant communities, often in moist, saline areas including sand dunes, saline meadows, river flats. Growth characteristics: cool season, sod-forming grass mature height: 1-3 ft. (un-mowed) mature width: variable. Forms large clonal clumps (sod) by spreading rhizomes. Stems upright, hollow. Green in summer. Looks like cross between Bermuda Grass and Saltgrass. Blooms/fruits: blooms in spring; small inconspicuous green flowers on taller stems. Uses in the garden: Best native grass for seasonally wet swales, streambeds, washes. Makes a fine mowed lawn. OK under trees – not deep shade. Excellent for bank stabilization and weed suppression. Easy, tough & adaptable. Good-looking, lush with a little water. Cultivars ‘Rio’ and ‘Yolo’ are suited for S. CA. ‘Gray Dawn’ has gray foliage, fast growth. Sensible substitute for: non-native rye grasses (Arizona & Canada Ryes). Attracts: insects, birds (cover & seeds), Skipper butterflies Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun to partial shade; fine under oaks, cottonwoods, sycamores Soil Any texture if well-drained; tolerates alkaline soils Water Likes some summer water but tolerates drought; tolerates seasonal flooding Fertilizer Low/none needed Other Management: Can mow every 3-4 weeks in growing season (mow high). Will look like Bermuda Grass if mowed. Remember that it can be invasive, particularly with summer watering. Easiest if started from pugs, if available. See grower’s advice for seeding rates. Propagation: from seed: low vigor – seed heavily from divisions: very easy in spring. Larger divisions can be replanted in ground; grow smaller divisions up to size in pots. Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2-5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 25, 28 1/26/16

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Leymus triticoides Creeping wildrye