Great Basin Wild Rye

Great Basin wild rye (Elymus cinereus) is a large, cool-season native bunchgrass with coarse leaves and dense, upright seed spikes. It starts growth early in spring and develops a strong clump that can provide structure, forage, and cover across western landscapes. Utah State University treats Elymus cinereus as a synonym of Leymus cinereus and describes clumps 2–5 feet tall and 1–3 feet in diameter. [Utah State University Extension](https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/grasses-and-grasslikes/great-basin-wildrye) · [Kew Science](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/90225-2) ## Growth and habitat This species grows along riverbanks, ravines, slopes, and plains, in both moist and dry settings. Its seed heads mature in late summer, and the bunches provide habitat and food for birds and small mammals. It adapts to a wide range of western soils, from finer desert soils to coarse gravelly sites. [Utah State University Extension](https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/grasses-and-grasslikes/great-basin-wildrye) ## Maintenance Water during establishment; established stands tolerate long periods of summer drought. Avoid close clipping or heavy grazing during active growth because the elevated growing points can be damaged. Leave the clump’s crown intact when removing old stems. [USDA NRCS](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/idpmspgrye.pdf) · [US Forest Service](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/leycin)