Elymus glaucus

Blue Wild-Rye. This plant species is highly variable, and hybridizes with some other species of wild-rye. It is not related to the cereal rye, except that they are both grasses. This plant is common here and there throughout California; is found also in the western U.S. and ranging down into Mexico, in a variety of plant communities. In lower rainfall areas, blue wild-rye needs a source of underground, or above ground water; not too drought tolerant here in our light, granitic soils. Plant is about a foot tall, and the flower spike is about 6 inches higher than that, on our selection. This plant provides larval food for the Chytonix moth. According to A.S. Hitchcock, Blue Wild-Rye is a valuable range grass in woodlands of the northwestern United States. Good as a vertical, accent in a wooded native plant garden, without large four-footed mammals. Does Not spread by rhizomes.