Basin wildrye usda. For more information regarding fire effects on basin wildrye, see the FEIS species summary. Leymus cinereus (Scribn. Löve] and creeping wildrye [Leymus triti-coides (Buckley) pilg. (P<0. This variation may lead to the development of localized adaptions between spatially divergent populations. triticoides), and bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides) (Welsh et al. With the increased occurrence and abundance of basin wildrye it is time for resource managers to take a closer look at this species and its values to wildlife and domestic livestock throughout the Great Basin. It is one of the first grasses to start growing in the spring. . Basin wildrye Releases Anticipated Trailhead Releases (2n=28) colchicine-doubling 2005 In order to provide a source of basin wildrye indigenous and locally adapted to the Great Basin area, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) collected 59 accessions of basin wildrye from natural stands. The study was conducted in a grazing enclosure Basin wildrye is adapted to well-drained lowland and upland sites in the Great Basin, while Colorado wildrye is generally found on steep, xeric sites. Löve) is a cultivar released in 1991 in cooperation with the Montana and Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Stations. Under pristine conditions, there may have been approximately 1 million acres of basin wildrye in the Humboldt River Basin alone. 7 per square foot) was greater than all accessions in all years (P=0. BASIN WILDRYE (native)* Standards: Trailhead, Magnar New Releases: Continental ARS – Logan, Utah/Bridger PMC, UCEPC 2009 Attributes: Restoration of disturbed rangeland to improve wildlife habitat and provide site stabilization. Long-lived, the plants will increase in size and grandeur each year. It can tolerate up to 1% soluble soil salts (Vallentine 1961). One of the two samples exceeded the Maximum Tolerable Levels of lead for domestic livestock and wildlife. The more diverse climates occupied by octoploids and higher trait variation suggests a higher capacity for ecological differentiation than tetraploids in the intermountain Western U. Manifest intermediate wheatgrass Manska pubescent wheatgrass Continental basin wildrye Intermountain Tetra basin wildrye Magnar basin wildrye Trailhead I basin wildrye Alkar tall wheatgrass Leymus cinereus is a species of wild rye known by the common names basin wild rye, [2] Great Basin wild rye, [3] and Great Basin lyme grass. Mammoth wildrye spike top, basin wildrye spike bottom. This big bunchgrass — it grows as tall as 10 feet and as wide as 4 — thrives in difficult conditions, including clay, alkaline soils and summer droughts. In Great Basin National Park, this degradation has resulted in the conversion of a large proportion of wildrye communities to areas dominated by non-native grasses and woody vegetation. Cultivars of both species are used in agriculture and conservation, but little is known about genetic diversity Sep 27, 2014 · Basin wildrye’s drought tolerance, combined with its fibrous root system and fair seedling vigor, make it desirable for reclamation in areas receiving 8 to 20 inches annual precipitation. ), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), rough fescue (Festuca scabra), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), prairie junegrass (Koeleria cristata A Conservation Plant Release by USDA NRCS Bridger Plant Materials Center, Bridger, MT ‘Trailhead’ basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus [Scribn. It was once a very important winter forage plant on the western rangelands, especially in Nevada, but overgrazing has greatly reduced or eliminated it. Improving Great Basin Wildrye Communities: The advantage of using the Lawson Aerator Introduction Heavy duty implements designed and built for manipulating rangeland vegetation and soils have been around for many decades. Basin wildrye has fair seedling vigor. This is a shrub grassland mixture dominated by basin big sagebrush in the shrub layer and basin wildrye, a deep-rooted cool-season bunchgrass, as codominants (NRCS 2003). Some authors describe basin wildrye as "high quality" forage, at least until mid-August [50], while others describe basin wildrye as deficient in phosphorus, carotene, and digestible protein [31, 119]. All classes of livestock and wildlife, including large and small birds and mammals, utilise the grass year round for food and protection due to its 2-3 m tall, stiff Basin wildrye [Leymus cinereus (Scribn. The density of L-46 in 2008 (6. Several can be found throughout the West. 01 Wildrye, basin Leymus cinereus Basin wildrye is a slightly spreading, robust, tall, coarse, long-lived, native bunchgrass. Basin wildrye has high survival rates following fire due to resprouting from the surviving root crown and rhizomes [15, 38, 50]. The project cooperates closely with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service's Plant Materials Centers, the Utah Crop Improvement Association, and the seed industry. The Eurasian annual grasses, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and medusahead wildrye (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), were introduced in the Western States in the late 1800s and spread rapidly across degraded rangelands (Young and Evans 1970; Mack 1986). It is a preferred feed for horses in spring and is considered a desirable feed for cattle, sheep, elk, deer and antelope in the spring. The area beneath the nodes (joints/knuckles found along the culm) are constricted and narrower than the culm (Figure 30D). 00 USD Range of Leymus ambiguus Leymus cinereus Basin Wildrye The ligule, like everything else on basin wildrye, is large (Figure 30A,B), and the leaves are much wider than the culm (Figure 30C). The USDA Agricultural Research Service approved the release of ‘Trailhead II’ basin wildrye on 9 March 2016. 4 days ago · Montana Field Guide contains a wealth of information about Montana's diverse species. All classes of livestock and wildlife, including large and small birds and mammals, utilise the grass year round for food and protection due to its 2-3 m tall, stiff Basin wildrye is an outcrossing species, but the immediate product of octoploid vs. Valuable as Understory grasses include needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata), basin wildrye (Leymus cinerius), squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis). Pricing Ounce $3. Basin wildrye is a cool season perennial bunch grass native to much of the Western United States and Western Canada. [1] It is common in western North America. Great Basin Wildrye (Leymus cinereus) - very big bunchgrass; native; coarse, robust culms, 2-8 ft tall; cylindrical shaped spike; 2-7 spikelets per node; usually on deep soils. ‘Magnar’ basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is a cultivar released by the Aberdeen Plant Materials Center (PMC) and the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station in 1979. Green leaves emerge on stiff, upright stems in early spring, and the wide leaf blades hold their summer-green Selected for its stand longevity and drought tolerance as compared to other basin wildrye accessions. ] A. The link between genetic traits and seed source climates suggests climate driven natural selection and adaptive evolution in basin wildrye. 0 or greater and therefore establishment of all accessions in all years were sufficient to prevent soil erosion. It is a long-lived cool-season native with an extensive, deep, coarse, fibrous root system. Basin wildrye and slender wheatgrass cumulative production in 1997, compared with 1996, was 42 percent and 31 percent higher, respectively. Thus, to avoid shattering losses, growers tend to harvest basin wildrye seed prior to maximal physiological maturity. General Description Washoe Germplasm basin wildrye, Leymus cinereus (accession number 9081627), was released in 2002 by the USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center in Bridger, Montana. found in both octoploid and tetraploid types. 4. Develop germplasms and cultivars improved for these traits for Interpretive Summary: Basin wildrye is somewhat indeterminate and shatters its seed when ripe. Drought — Russian wildrye is exceptionally tolerant of drought [82, 142]. “In House” List (USFS, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Boise, ID) Calculated “In House” from knowns Despite this, Great Basin Wildrye is still valuable as standing forage in winter, and it is an important source of wildlife food and cover. Jul 31, 2025 · The Aberdeen Plant Materials Center has cooperatively released and maintains Foundation quality seed stock for 20 conservation plants including hoary tansyaster, parsnipflower buckwheat, bluebunch wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, basin wildrye, Indian ricegrass, western wheatgrass, penstemon, flax, and small burnet, as well as a number of introduced varieties of dryland and irrigated forages. Great Basin Wildrye UDWR - Tetra 31 accessions from the Great Basin (all tetraploid) Genecology for Indian Ricegrass, Sandberg Bluegrass and Basin Wildrye R. It provides good forage early in the season, but In 2006 lead was detected in 2 of 42 samples. Plants may survive for 60 days or more when restricted to only the seminal root system until moisture conditions improve and adventitious roots develop [15]. C. It is very tolerant of fire, burning quickly with little downward transfer of heat. The U. Some introduced range and pasture varieties obtained im-mediate success. Forms large clumps with dense spikes that resemble wheat. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. Mark Stannard, USDA-NRCS, Pullman WAPMC. It is very compatible with slower developing natives such as streambank wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, basin wildrye, western wheatgrass, bluegrass species, and needlegrass species. We hypothesize seed sources planted on test sites similar Within the Central Basin and Range ecoregion, a substantial array of climatic and ecological variation occurs across basin wildrye’s distribution, which ranges over 1,100 meters in elevation and across nine level-four ecoregions. We hypothesize seed sources planted on test sites similar Nov 18, 2016 · Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) stands out in the landscape with its tall and wide form, long leaves and upright seed stalks. We hypothesize seed sources planted on test sites similar ‘Magnar’ basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is a cultivar released by the Aberdeen Plant Materials Center (PMC) and the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station in 1979. S. Technical Abstract: Basin wildrye was once a very abundant and widely occurring species throughout the landscapes of northern Nevada. Basin wildrye is a large, coarse, robust, perennial bunchgrass, sometimes with short rhizomes. Height: 3 to 5 feet Seedhead: Thick bristly 6-inch flower spikes Seeds: Reproduces by seed and rhizomes Stems: Dense spikes that resemble wheat Leaves: Up to 0. It is commonly used as a grass barrier to control wind erosion or blowing snow. In shrub steppe locations, basin wildrye may be replaced by Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass in moister sites. Introduction Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus [Scribn. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation Barkworth), and basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus [Scribn. Washoe is a tall, coarse, robust, perennial bunchgrass native to the intermountain region of the western United States. In this study, basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus (Scribn. Explore the USDA Plants Database for comprehensive information on plant species, including distribution, classification, and conservation status. 0105) except its own density in 2007 The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center (UCEPC) announce the cultivar release of 'Continental'basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus [Scribn. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs. Basin Wildrye is found in a variety of habitats from 2,000 to 9,800 feet elevation. Within the Central Basin and Range ecoregion, a substantial array of climatic and ecological variation occurs across basin wildrye’s distribution, which ranges over 1,100 meters in elevation and across nine level-four ecoregions. Research Objectives Identify and characterize ecologically and economically important functional plant traits (e. It is commonly used as a grass barrier for wind erosion or blowing snow control. asp ABSTRACT: Greasewood and saltgrass sites that once supported basin wildrye can be highly productive after chemical brush control and forage restoration by proper management or by seeding. Here we report on the use of the Lawson Aerator in a degraded Great Basin Wildrye community that had significantly reduced in grazing capacity as decadent big sagebrush and greasewood shrubs dominated the community. Basin wildrye is known to produce hybrids with Salina wildrye (L. , robust, long-lived, drought-tolerant, cool-season, coarse bunchgrass with short rhizomes. This Technical Note provides information on two plant materials salinity trials conducted near Price and Roosevelt, Utah. 1995. Mar 7, 2024 · Basin wildrye ecosystems have been severely degraded by fire suppression, timing of grazing, conversion to agriculture, and introduction of nonnative plants. ] are outcrossing perennial grasses native to western North America. In fact, it is the largest cool-season bunchgrass native to the western United States. Largest cool-season perennial bunchgrass native to the western United States. Löve basin wildrye General Images Synonyms Wetland Related Links Sources Characteristics Download Distribution Data View Print Options The collection site is within USDA hardiness zone 4a. Good tolerance to salt and alkali. Cultivars of both species are used in agricul-ture and conservation, but little is known about genetic This guide provides detailed identification information for common grass species found throughout the northern Great Basin, highlighted in green on the accompanying map. Löve) sources from 25 wild populations and 4 commercial Thickspike Wheatgrass and Basin Wildrye Rangeland Adaptation Trial The thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus) and basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) rangeland adaptation trial was installed with the cooperation of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to identify releases that may be useful in conservation in the area. Nonconventional seeding techniques may be required when seeding mixes of grasses, forbs, and shrubs containing seeds of different sizes. Blue wildrye can also provide excellent wildlife habitat for mammals, birds, and waterfowl. This three-year study evaluated the adaptation of several commercially available releases of thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus) and basin wildrye (Leymus cinereaus) to salt desert scrub habitats. Basin wildrye, Giant wild rye, Gray wild rye, Great basin wild rye Leymus cinereus is a perennial grasslike herb that is native to California. A 1994 survey of Great Basin States and Washington (Pellant and Hall 1994) indicated that about 17 million ac (6. Tall wheatgrass is one of the most saline or alkali tolerant cultivated grasses. In common gardens at two sites over two years differences in both ploidy type and genetic variation within ploidy were observed in phenology, morphology, and production traits on 57 octoploid and 52 tetraploid basin wildrye from the intermountain Western U. It has moderate grazing tolerance, except for intense grazing of spring growth. In lower precipitation regions it is found on sites with a higher water Basin wildrye is an outcrossing species, but the immediate product of octoploid vs. Although it is palatable to all classes of livestock, Basin Basin wildrye’s drought tolerance, combined with fibrous root system and fair seedling vigor, make it desirable for reclamation in areas receiving 8 to 20 inches annual precipitation. Western wheatgrass is a component of many native plant communities and grows in association with blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), needlegrasses (Stipa spp. tetraploid hybridization includes unstable hexaploids and sterility (Young et al. nativeplantnetwork. Description Vegetation is still relatively evenly distributed, though self-thinning and sorting are beginning to occur. Basin wildrye is widely distributed on deep, well-drained soils of the prairies and foothills in the western United States and Canada. Advantages of such a Eddy covariance towers were installed in September at three research locations: 1) an irrigated hay field with fall grazing, 2) a mixed community of Basin big sagebrush and Basin wildrye with fall grazing, and 3) a decadent sagebrush community with no grazing. Johnson1, Mike Cashman1, Barbara Hellier1, Matt Horning2, Erin Espeland3, Elizabeth Leger4, and Ken Vance-Borland5 Great Basin wildrye or basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is a native grass species that has been ignored for many years but has great potential for wintering livestock, wildlife habitat, and commercial seed production. Bakker from that available at: http://www. Love) is a large bunchgrass common in the intermountain Western U. 2003). One of southeastern wildrye’s strongest attributes is that it requires little or no fertilization for establishment and maintenance; making it ideal for restoration plans seeking to protect water quality. It makes a striking specimen or back border plant, especially when set against a wooden fence. Established stands of basin wildrye can tolerate long periods of drought, and it prefers cycles of wet winters and dry Basin Wildrye (Leymus cinereus), sometimes called Great Basin Wildrye, is an unusually large, robust bunchgrass averaging 2 to 5 feet tall. Basin wildrye has a broad climatic adaptation in areas receiving 8 to 20 inches annual precipitation at elevations of 1,900 to 9,000 feet. Public awareness of the health of the Chesapeake Bay and Mississippi River Basin watersheds has increased the desire to reduce the environmental impacts from synthetic inputs. Associated saline soils can be successfully seeded to salt-tolerant grasses such as basin In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U. ] are outcrossing peren-nial grasses native to western North America. Vision To develop plant materials and ecological applications to improve weed- and fire-resistance of rangelands. Crop Science 37:1977. 8 inch wide Roots: Extensive soil-binding, fibrous A. Basin wildrye also occurs among the greasewood. Russian wildrye produces seminal lateral roots when drought kills the primary roots [15, 53, 149]. Washoe Germplasm basin wildrye was selected for its superior performance compared to other basin wildrye populations for reclamation of moderately acidic and heavy metal contaminated sites. Löve] and creeping wildrye [Leymus triticoides (Buckley) Pilg. , seedling establishment, growth rate, competitive ability, stress tolerance, and seed production). 00 USD Quarter lb $10. The Soil Conservation Service (now the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service) and their cooperators began releasing grass varieties in the mid 1940s (Alderson and Sharp 1994; Hanson 1959). Adapted to a variety of soils but does best on silty, clay-loam soils. USDA, NRCS, and Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station, and Washington State University Agriculture Research Center. Love) is an important perennial, hardy, long-lived, cool season C3 native grass of rangeland plant communities throughout much of western United States and Canada. However, soil moisture will overlap as elevation increases. Basin Wildrye The densities of all basin wildrye accessions were 1. Breeder seed is maintained by ARS in Mandan, ND and Foundation seed is produced at the NRCS Bismarck, ND PMC. 2013). 00 USD Pound $25. ) Á. Basin wildrye is palatable to all classes of livestock and wildlife. An improved cultivar of the species is much deEired and needed by land management agencies, both public and private, for use in Uses Blue wildrye is good for streambank restoration, meadow and swale seeding. Excellent abundant forage producer, palatable early but much less so at maturity. Eight generations of recombination and natural selection restored Apr 2000 - Contents PDF Previous Story Next StoryShare Go to Top Previous Story Next Story Form: Bunch grass; tall, native large wild rye. Stevens et. Trailhead II is the result of two cycles of recurrent selection within the basin wildrye cultivar 'Trailhead' for rapid seedling emergence from deep seeding. 9 million ha) of USDI Bureau of ABSTRACT Basin wildrye [Leymus cinereus (Scribn. Löve) is an important perennial, hardy, long-lived, cool season C3 native grass of rangeland plant communities throughout much of western United States and Canada. Love) from ungrazed paddocks and paddocks grazed at vegetative, boot, and anthesis; and 2) test hypotheses that postgrazing regrowth yields Common Name Switchgrass Yellow indiangrass Big bluestem Prairie cordgrass Little bluestem Western wheatgrass Basin wildrye Reed canarygrass Tufted hairgrass Canada wildrye Slender wheatgrass % of Mixture 30 to 45 10 to 30 Leymus cinereus, Great Basin Wildrye (old nomenclature: Elymus cinereus) (Native) Tall, 3 – 9 ft. Introductions from areas of Europe and Asia with environmental conditions similar to those encountered in Western North America A. Trailhead II is a cultivar developed for rangeland revegetation. al (2004) indicated that mammoth wildrye is suitable for riparian restoration and rated tolerant of salinity and flooding. & Merr. Abstract Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus [Scribn. However, many of these grasses are found throughout the Great Basin (highlighted in blue on the map). It is also excellent for reseeding burned or disturbed areas in oak woodland or forest. salinus), beardless wildrye (L. ] Á. Rabbitbrush is beginning to decline. Basin wildrye is a good indicator of where tall wheatgrass will be successful. By increasing the dominance of basin wildrye on private pastures, many Great Basin ranchers can improve their economic and environmental sustainability. Basin wildrye and slender wheatgrass were the only species unaffected by the drier conditions, compared with the 1996 cumulative production levels. Maximum Tree Size Class None Class C 86 It is less drought tolerant than crested wheatgrass, however it is adapted to sagebrush, mountain brush and juniper sites. Grass Cultivar Profile Grass Cultivars — Aubry, Shoal, Erickson — USDA Forest Service — 2005 Bromar Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project FY04 Progress Report USDI Bureau of Land Management (Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Oregon) USDA Forest Service, Shrub Sciences Laboratory, Provo, UT and Boise, ID Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Ephraim, UT USDA Agricultural Research Service ‘Magnar’ basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is a cultivar released by the Aberdeen Plant Materials Center (PMC) and the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station in 1979. Evaluating basin wildrye seed sources across provisional seed zones, native forb sowing depth on species performance and improving the accuracy of collection site and seed lot identification for big sagebrush. It prefers deep clayey to loamy to sandy soils and tolerates weakly saline conditions. In 2003 these were planted in an evaluation orchard in central Utah. Great Basin wildrye or basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is a native grass species that has been ignored for many years but has great potential for wintering livestock, wildlife habitat, and commercial seed production. Adaptation and use: Basin wildrye is especially suited to deep, fine-textured clayey to loamy soils that receive 10 to 16 inches of annual precipitation. We hybridized basin wildrye and its close relative, creeping wildrye, which features the non-shattering sh6 allele. A Conservation Plant Release by USDA NRCS Bridger Plant Materials Center, Bridger, MT ‘Trailhead’ basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus [Scribn. Basin wildrye is known to produce hybrids with Salina wildrye ( A Conservation Plant Release by USDA NRCS Bridger Plant Materials Center, Bridger, MT ‘Trailhead’ basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus [Scribn. org/network/SampleBlankForm. These divergent species are generally adapted to different habitats but can form fertile hybrids. One sample, ‘Trailhead’ basin wildrye, measured in the `Excessive or Toxic’ range for metal levels in plants. Application of 2,4-D in June, once or for 2 consecutive years, effectively controls greasewood and salt rabbitbrush. northern Utah. Basin wildrye is known to produce hybrids with Salina wildrye ( Basin wildrye’s drought tolerance, combined with fibrous root system and fair seedling vigor, make it desirable for reclamation in areas receiving 8 to 20 inches annual precipitation. g. Explore the USDA Plants Database for detailed plant profiles, taxonomy, distribution maps, and conservation resources to support your agricultural and environmental needs. conditions and slightly acidic soils. Great Basin Wildrye is essential for range, watershed, pasture, and wildlife improvement projects. ‘Mankota’ Russian wildrye was selected by USDA ARS at Mandan, North Dakota for resistance to leaf spot and improved forage yields. Notice of release of ‘Arlington’ blue wildrye. It is considered a desirable feed for cattle and horses in early summer, late fall and winter. Basin wildrye was an important grain crop for native people, who knew how to harvest it sustainably. Basin wildrye displays the same fire survival strategy, so its response to fire may offer insight into saline wildrye's response to fire. Subsequent DNA analysis determined that thirty-one of these accessions were tetraploid and the balance octoploid Note: This template was modified by J. Identifying genetically appropriate plant materials for seed based restoration relies on the principle of local adaptation where the objective is to match adaptive genetic characteristics to variation in ecological clines pertinent to plant establishment and persistence. Also included in the study were ‘Vavilov II’ Siberian wheatgrass (Agropyron fragile) and ‘Snowstorm’ kochia (Bassia prostrata). Basin Wildrye is a native, cool-season, perennial bunch grass. D. Love] is a tetraploid basin wildrye release for use in re-vegetation efforts on rangelands of western North America. Although it can withstand periodic flooding, it is very drought tolerant and is also tolerant of alkaline and saline soils. ) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information Abstract Objectives of postfire seeding in the Great Basin include reestablishment of perennial cover, suppression of exotic annual weeds, and restoration of diverse plant communities. Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project Native Plant Program Elements: Needs assessment/species selection/genecology/plant materials Which, from where, and how much? What about climate change? Work is also underway with basin wildrye, thickspike wheatgrass, salina wildrye, needle-and-thread, Thurber's needlegrass, and Idaho fescue. xvnhjker ds vwhdu bvq aqaye nbsyty3l wgylu kzac qy3b m5rm