page_title: Elymus elymoides
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Elymus elymoides / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: Squirrel-tail grass (Elymus elymoides) clump, with spikes in wide, pale, late-season form. Near trail into Little Lakes Valley, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Navada USA.
context_page_description: Elymus elymoides is a species of wild rye known by the common name squirreltail. This grass is native to most of North America west of the Mississippi River and occurs in a number of ecosystems, from the alpine zone to desert sage scrub to valley grassland.
context_section_description: Elymus elymoides is a perennial bunch grass growing to around 0.5 metres (20 in) in height. Its erect solid stems have flat or rolled leaf blades. The inflorescence is up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long and somewhat stiff and erect, with spikelets one or two centimeters long not counting the awn, which may be 9 centimeters long and sticks straight out at maturity, making the inflorescence look like a bottlebrush (see main image), and aiding wind dispersal of the seeds. In contrast, the early-season spike is compact and reddish, as in the images at left.
  This grass is considered very good forage for sheep. It is best for grazing during the winter, when it is small and green. It becomes less palatable to livestock when its awns grow long and sharp at maturity.
caption: Elymus elymoides clump late-season
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