Indian Ricegrass

Indian ricegrass is a cool-season native bunchgrass of western North America, valued in dry landscapes for its fine-textured leaves and airy seed heads. USDA NRCS uses Achnatherum hymenoides as the scientific name and lists Oryzopsis hymenoides among its alternate scientific names ([USDA plant profile](https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ACHY); [NRCS plant guide](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/idpmcpg11641.pdf)). ## Form and habitat The narrow, often rolled leaves give the clump a wiry look, and its open panicles rise above the foliage. It occurs in dry shrublands, sagebrush steppe, prairies, and open woodland communities. Birds and small mammals eat the seed, while the grass also provides forage for wildlife. ## Siting Choose an open sunny location with freely draining, coarse-textured soil. The NRCS guide describes Indian ricegrass as drought tolerant, adapted to arid and semiarid western regions, and intolerant of shading or poorly drained ground. It can be used in dry meadows, native plantings, and erosion-control or reclamation sites. ## Maintenance Establish slowly and manage competing weeds while young plants take hold. Once established, avoid persistent wetness and heavy disturbance; allow seed heads to mature where natural reseeding and wildlife value are desired.