TECHNICAL NOTE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON Spokane, WA PASTURE TECHNICAL NOTE 102 AUGUST 2010 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Gerald Rouse, NRCS State Range Management Specialist Marty Chaney, NRCS West Area Agronomist 8/24/2010 Page 1 of 58
Transcript
TECHNICAL NOTE
USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Spokane, WA
PASTURE TECHNICAL NOTE 102 AUGUST 2010
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Gerald Rouse, NRCS State Range Management Specialist
Marty Chaney, NRCS West Area Agronomist
8/24/2010 Page 1 of 58
TABLE OF CONTENTSAgrostis capillaris 4
Agrostis gigantea 5
Agrostis stolonifera 6
Aira caryophyllea 7
Alopecurus geniculatus 8
Alopecurus pratensis 9
Ammophila arenaria 10
Anthoxanthum aristatum 11
Anthoxanthum odoratum 12
Arrhenatherum elatius 13
Beckmannia syzigachne 14
Bromus carinatus 16
Bromus hordeaceus 15
Calamagrostis canadensis 17
Cynosurus cristatus 18
Cynosurus echinatus 19
Dactylis glomerata 20
Danthonia californica 21
Danthonia spicata 22
Deschampsia caespitosa 23
Digitaria ischaemum 24
Digitaria sanguinalis 25
Distichlis spicata 26
Echinochloa crus‐galli 27
Elymus glaucus 28
Elymus repens 29
Elymus trachycaulus 30
Festuca brevipila 31
Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri 32
Festuca rubra 33
Glyceria occidentalis 34
8/24/2010 Page 2 of 58
Holcus lanatus 35
Holcus mollis 36
Hordeum brachyantherum 37
Koeleria macrantha 38
Leersia oryzoides 39
Leymus mollis 40
Lolium perenne 41
Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum 42
Lolium temulentum 43
Phalaris arundinacea 44
Phleum pratense 45
Poa annua 46
Poa bulbosa 47
Poa compressa 48
Poa macrantha 49
Poa palustris 50
Poa pratensis 51
Poa trivialis 52
Schedonorus phoenix (Festuca arundinaceae) 53
Schedonorus pratensis 54
Setaria pumila ssp. pumila 56
Setaria viridis 55
Spartina alterniflora 57
Vulpia ssp. 58
8/24/2010 Page 3 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Agrostis capillaris
Bentgrass, Colonial
2-5
1-2
1
June-July
Moderate
Low Fertility, Low pH, Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Bent
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 4 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Agrostis gigantea
Bentgrass, Redtop
3-8
2-6
1
June-July
Low
Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Bent
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Sandy Long, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 5 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Agrostis stolonifera
Bentgrass, Creeping
3-6
1
June-July
Moderate
Low Fertility, Low pH, Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaf Axils Viviparous
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Bent
Stems Root At Lower Nodes
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Sandy Long, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/ Ligule from: Hitchcock-Chase Collection of Grass Drawings, courtesy of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., on indefinte loan from the Smithsonian Institution. Accession Number: 6010.0071
8/24/2010 Page 6 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Aira caryophyllea
Hairgrass, Silver
0.5
1-4
2
April
Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Strongly Rolled/Threadlike
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Stems Bent
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 7 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Alopecurus geniculatus
Foxtail, Water
2-6
3-5
1
May-June
Low
Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Often Inflated
Leaf Sheath Wraps Less Than Halfway Around Stem
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Stems Bent
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 8 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Alopecurus pratensis
Foxtail, Meadow
3-10
2-6
1
April-May
Low
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Often Inflated
Leaf Sheath Wraps Less Than Halfway Around Stem
Leaf Sheath Doesn't Overlap In Front
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Bent
Stems Root At Lower Nodes
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 9 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Ammophila arenaria
Beachgrass, European
2-4
10-25
1
June-August
High
Saline
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaves Strongly Rolled/Threadlike
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Stems Bent
Seeds With Cobwebby Base
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Linda A. Vorobik and Hana Pazdírková, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 10 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Anthoxanthum aristatum
Vernalgrass, Annual
2.0
0.5-2
April-May
Low Fertility, Low pH, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Short
Seedhead Has Long Awns
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 1: 171.
8/24/2010 Page 11 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Vernalgrass, Sweet
3-7
2-3
3
March-April
Low Fertility, Low pH, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Collar With Long Hairs
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Long
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 12 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Arrhenatherum elatius
Oatgrass, Tall
Sometimes
4-8
1-2
Sometimes
2
May-June
Prairie, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Hairy
Leaves Shiny (Usually)
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Wraps Less Than Halfway Around Stem
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stem Bulblike At Base
Stem Nodes Hairy
Stems Bent
Stems Hairy
Stems Root At Lower Nodes
Stems Shiny
Awn On Floret Is Bent
Awns On Seedhead Sharply Bent
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 13 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Beckmannia syzigachne
Sloughgrass
5-10
6-11
1
June-July
Low
Warm Wet Prairie, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Annual
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Hairy
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule With Hairs On Top
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Spikelets Compressed
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 14 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Bromus carinatus
Brome, California
7-15
2-8
3+
April-May
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Closed
Collar With Long Hairs
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Long
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Spikelets Flattened
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Cindy T. Roché, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 15 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Bromus hordeaceus
Brome, Annual
2-5
0.5-1.5
3+
April-May
Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Closed
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 16 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Calamagrostis canadensis
Bluejoint
3-8
3-10
July-August
Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Awns On Seedhead Sharply Bent
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Cindy Roché and Hana Pazdírková, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 17 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Cynosurus cristatus
Dogtail, Crested
1.5-2.5
0.8-1.5
3
June-July
Low Fertility, Low pH, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaf Twisted
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath (Lower) Yellowish-Brown
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Short
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Sandy Long, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/. Ligule illustration from Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 18 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Cynosurus echinatus
Dogtail, Annual
2-5
2-7
2
May-July
Low Fertility, Low pH, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Often Inflated
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seedheads Crowded And One-Sided
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Sandy Long, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/. Ligule illustration from Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 19 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Dactylis glomerata
Orchardgrass
3-11
3-9
3,3+
April-May
Low
Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Folded
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Closed
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Leaf Sheath Keeled
Ligule White
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 200. Washington, DC.
Ligules from: Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press
8/24/2010 Page 20 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Danthonia californica
Oatgrass, California
2-4
0.5
1,2
May-June
Low Fertility, Prairie
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule A Fringe Of Hairs
Collar With Long Hairs
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Collection, Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
8/24/2010 Page 21 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Danthonia spicata
Oatgrass, poverty
2-4
0.5
1,2
May-June
Low Fertility, Prairie
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves - Upper Sides Hairy
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule A Fringe Of Hairs
Collar With Long Hairs
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Linda A. Vorobik and Hana Pazdírková, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 22 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Deschampsia caespitosa
Hairgrass, Tufted
1.5-3
3-8
2
June-July
High
Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaves Stiff
Leaves Strongly Rolled/Threadlike
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seedheads Purplish
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 23 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Digitaria ischaemum
Crabgrass
4-6
1
1-2
July-August
Leaf Blades mostly glabrous
Transitional between Upland and Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Warm-Season Grass
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Bent
Stems Hairy
Stems Root At Lower Nodes
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seedheads Palmate
Bloom Period
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Linda A. Vorobik and Hana Pazdírková, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 24 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Digitaria sanguinalis
Crabgrass
4-6
1
1-2
July-August
Leaf blades more or less hairy
Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Warm-Season Grass
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Bent
Stems Hairy
Stems Root At Lower Nodes
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seedheads Palmate
Bloom Period
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Linda A. Vorobik and Hana Pazdírková, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 25 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Distichlis spicata
Saltgrass, Seashore
1.5-8
0.5
2,3
July-August
High
Saline
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves 2-Ranked (In One Plane) And Sharply Pointed
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaves Stiff
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Collar With Long Hairs
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Solid (Not Hollow)
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Collection, Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
8/24/2010 Page 26 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Echinochloa crus-galli
Barnyardgrass
4-16
1
July-August
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland, Not Saline
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Warm-Season Grass
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Ligule A Fringe Of Hairs
No Ligule
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 27 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Elymus glaucus
Wildrye, Blue
5-10
0.5-1.5
2,3,3+
June-July
Moderate
Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Collar Often Purple
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Long
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Cindy Roché and Annaliese Miller, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 28 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Elymus repens
Quackgrass
Sometimes
5-10
0.3-0.5
Sometimes
3+
June-July
High
Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Rhizomes - Tough, Wiry
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaf Twisted
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Long
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 29 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Elymus trachycaulus
Slender Wheatgrass
Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Auricles (Ears) Present - Short
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Spikelets Strongly Overlapping
Habitat
Citation:USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 1: 285.
8/24/2010 Page 30 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Festuca brevipila
Fescue, Hard
0.8-1.2
0.1-0.5
June?
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Strongly Rolled/Threadlike
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule Longest On Sides
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Cindy T. Roché, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 31 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri
Fescue, Roemer's
< 1
0.3-0.6
May-June
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Strongly Rolled/Threadlike
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Shredding
Ligule Longest On Sides
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Cindy T. Roché, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 32 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Festuca rubra
Fescue, Fine
Some native populations
1-1.5
0.5
2,3,3+
May-June
Moderate
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaves Shiny (Usually)
Leaves Strongly Rolled/Threadlike
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Closed For 3/4 Of Length
Ligule Longest On Sides
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 33 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Glyceria occidentalis
Mannagrass, Western
4-8
5-12
3+
June?
Low
Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Closed
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Auricles (Ears) Present - Long
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Spikelets Cylindrical In X-Section
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 34 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Holcus lanatus
Velvetgrass, Common
3-10
1-2
2
May-June
High
Low Fertility, Low pH, Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule With Hairs On Top
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Hairy
Awn On Floret Is Bent
Awn On Floret Is Curved Like A Fishhook
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 35 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Holcus mollis
Velvetgrass, Creeping
3-10
2-4
2
June?
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Awn On Floret Is Bent
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 36 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Hordeum brachyantherum
Barley, Meadow
Sometimes
3-8
0.5
Sometimes
3
June-July
High
Sometimes leaves and stems are not hairy
Saline, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Bent
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Cindy Roché and Annaliese Miller, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 37 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Koeleria macrantha
Prairie Junegrass
1-2
0.5-2
3+
May
No Salinity Tolerance - pH 6-8
Prairie
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Folded
Leaves Hairy
Leaves Strongly Rolled/Threadlike
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Collar With Long Hairs
Ligule Longest On Sides
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Linda A. Vorobik and Hana Pazdírková, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/ Ligule and blade tip illustration from: Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 38 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Leersia oryzoides
Rice Cutgrass
6-10
1
1
July-August
Leaves and stems very rough, leaf blade very wide
Warm Wet Prairie, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stem Nodes Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Hitchcock-Chase Collection of Grass Drawings, courtesy of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., on indefinte loan from the Smithsonian Institution. Ligule from: Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 39 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Leymus mollis
Wildrye, Dune
6-15
1
2,3,3+
June-July
Stems finely hairy but no hairs on leaves
Saline
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Long
Stems Hairy
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Cindy T. Roché, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/
8/24/2010 Page 40 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Lolium perenne
Ryegrass, Perennial
3-4
1.5
3+
April
High
Auricles may not be present. Auricles are not long if present.
Stems purplish-red at base
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Folded
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Shiny (Usually)
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Short
Stem Purplish Red At Base
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Floret Unawned
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Comments
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 41 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum
Ryegrass, Annual
4-8
0.5-1.5
3+
April
Moderate
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Shiny (Usually)
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Long
Floret Awned
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 1: 282.
8/24/2010 Page 42 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Lolium temulentum
Darnel
3-10
1-1.5
April-May
Low Fertility, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Long
Glume Exceeds The Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Seedhead Has Long Awns
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 43 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Phalaris arundinacea
Canarygrass, Reed
7-17
9-10
1,3
June-July
Moderate
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Frees From Sheath At Different Levels
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 44 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Phleum pratense
Timothy
4-8
2-3
1
June
Low
U-shaped, stiff glumes on floret
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Wraps Less Than Halfway Around Stem
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stem Bulblike At Base
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Comments
Habitat
Citation:USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 200. Washington, DC.
8/24/2010 Page 45 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Poa annua
Bluegrass, Annual
1.5-4
1.2-1.8
2,3+
Feb-May
Size variable with site fertility
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Cross-Wrinkled
Leaf Blade Folded
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaf 2 Distinct Veins At Leaf Midrib (RR Tracks)
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Leaf Sheath Keeled
Ligule White
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 46 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Poa bulbosa
Bluegrass, Bulbous
1-2.5
1-3
2,3+
March-April
Low Fertility, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stem Bulblike At Base
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Florets Usually Purplish Bulbils
Seedheads Purplish
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 47 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Poa compressa
Bluegrass, Canada
2-5
0.2-1.2
2,3+
May-June
Low
Low pH, Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaf 2 Distinct Veins At Leaf Midrib (RR Tracks)
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Shiny (Usually)
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Seeds With Cobwebby Base
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 48 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Poa macrantha
Bluegrass, Seashore
2-3
1-1.5
2,3+
May-June
Saline
Scientific Name
Common Name
Native
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Strongly Rolled/Threadlike
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule With Hairs On Top
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Sandy Long, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/ Ligule from: Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 49 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Poa palustris
Bluegrass, Fowl
2.4
2-5
2,3+
June
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaf 2 Distinct Veins At Leaf Midrib (RR Tracks)
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Leaf Sheath Keeled
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Bent
Stems Root At Lower Nodes
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 50 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Poa pratensis
Bluegrass, Kentucky
2-4 mm
1-3
2,3+
May-June
Low
Prairie, Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaf 2 Distinct Veins At Leaf Midrib (RR Tracks)
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Shiny (Usually)
Leaf Tip Prow-Shaped
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Seeds With Cobwebby Base
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 200. Washington, DC.
8/24/2010 Page 51 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Poa trivialis
Bluegrass, Rough-Stalked
2-5
3-7
2,3+
May
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaf Back Has Distinct Central Ridge
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Leaf Sheath Keeled
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Ligule Pointed
Stems Bent
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 52 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Schedonorus phoenix (Festuca arundinaceae)
Fescue, Tall
4-10
0.2
2,3,3+
April-May
High
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Rough On Edges
Leaves Shiny (Usually)
Leaves Stiff
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present - Long
Auricles - Long Hairs On Edge
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 53 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Schedonorus pratensis
Fescue, Meadow
3-5
0.2
Long
2,3,3+
May?
Moderate
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Leaf Blade Width 1-5 Mm
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Shiny (Usually)
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Auricles (Ears) Present
Auricles Hairless
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Salinity Tolerance
Habitat
Citation:Hitchcock-Chase Collection of Grass Drawings, courtesy of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., on indefinte loan from the Smithsonian Institution.
8/24/2010 Page 54 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Setaria pumila ssp. pumila
Bristlegrass
Panicles uniformly thick, erect
Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade - Papillose Hairs Basally
Leaf Twisted
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Ligule A Fringe Of Hairs
Collar With Long Hairs
Stems Bent
Stems Hairy
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 55 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Setaria viridis
Bristlegrass
4-11
1
2
July-August
Panicle nodding only from near the apicies
Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaves Grow Up The Stem
Leaves Hairy
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Compressed
Ligule A Fringe Of Hairs
Collar With Long Hairs
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Stems Bent
Stems Hairy
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Seeds Seem Directly Attached To Main Stem
Bloom Period
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 56 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Spartina alterniflora
Cordgrass
> 5
1.5
July-August
Aquatic emergent
Saline, Wetland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Perennial
Rhizomes Or Stolons - Sod-Forming
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaf Tips Strongly Rolled
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Leaf Sheath Hairy At Throat
Ligule A Fringe Of Hairs
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Bloom Period
Comments
Habitat
Citation:Illustration by Linda A. Vorobik and Linda Bea Miller, copied with permission from http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/ Ligule from: Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
8/24/2010 Page 57 of 58
NRCS-WA Pasture Technical Note 102 COMMON GRASSES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Vulpia ssp.
Fescue, Annual
0.5-1.5
0.2-0.6
2,3,3+
April-May
Transitional between Upland and Wetland, Upland
Scientific Name
Common Name
Introduced
Plant Annual
Bunchgrass -Tufted - Caespitose
Leaf Blade Flat
Leaves Not Hairy
Leaves Strongly Rolled/Threadlike
Leaf Blade Width (mm)
Ligule Longest On Sides
Ligule (Collar) Length (mm)
Number Of Florets (Flowers) Per Spikelet
Bloom Period
Habitat
Citation:Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Illustrations by Jeanne R. Janish, CL Hitchcock, A Cronquist - 1976 - Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press copied with permission.
