Selected North Dakota and Minnesota Range Plants (continued)EB-69, 1998 Common Name: Slender wheatgrass Species: Agropyron caninum (L.) subsp. majus (Vasey) C. L. Hitchc.
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae
Description: A tufted, short-lived, perennial bunchgrass, 3-11 dm tall. Culms are erect and hollow. Leaf blades flat to rolled inward, rough to covered with distinct, soft hairs, 3-27 cm long, 1-6 mm wide. Leaf sheaths are smooth to covered with soft hairs; ligules 0.3-1.1 mm long; auricles may be absent, but when present conspicuous. Spikes are compact, 5-22 cm long; spikelets usually more than 2 times as long as internodes, closely appressed, 3- to 7-flowered. Glumes7-14 mm long, usually awnless or short awned. Lemmas usually awnless or short, less than 4 mm long. Anthers 0.8-2.1 mm long, often retained within the spikelet. Origin: Native Growing Season: A cool season grass that begins growth in late April and flowers from June to August. Habitat: Found in a variety of moist to relatively dry soils, along river banks and rolling hills. It is most abundant in well-drained medium to fine-textured soils and is somewhat tolerant to alkali soils, moderate levels of droughts, and long, wet periods. Distribution: This species is found throughout the northern Great Plains region, northern and western halves of the United States, and along the southern border of Canada. It is commonly found throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Forage Value: This species is palatable in all stages of maturity, providing excellent pasture forage for cattle, sheep and horses. Crude protein values are greater than 20 percent in early vegetative growth stages, level off to 8-14 percent by mid-summer, and drop to 6 to 9 percent in late summer and fall. Slender wheatgrass is classified as a decreaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: This species provides good to excellent forage for small mammals, rabbits, antelope, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and mountain sheep during all seasons in North Dakota. The seeds are utilized by many songbirds and sharp-tailed grouse. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Bearded wheatgrass Species: Agropyron caninum (L.) subsp. majus (Vasey) C. L. Hitchc. var. unilaterale Vasey
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae
Description: A tufted, short-lived perennial bunchgrass 3-11 dm tall. Culms are erect and hollow. Leaf blades flat to rolled inward, rough to covered with distinct, soft hairs, 3-27 cm long, 1-6 mm wide. Leaf sheaths are smooth to covered with soft hairs; ligules 0.3-1.1 mm long; auricles may be absent, but when present conspicuous. Spikes are compact, 5-22 cm long; spikelets usually more than 2 times as long as internodes, closely appressed, clustered on one-side, 3- to 7-flowered. Glumes 7-14 mm long, usually short to 12.5 mm long. Lemmas with awns greater than 4-12 mm long. Anthers 0.8-2.1 mm long, often retained within the spikelet. Most new plants are produced from seeds. Origin: Native Growing Season: A cool season species that begins growth in late April and flowers from June until August. Habitat: This grass is found in swales, overflow sites, open woodlands, and meadows. It can be found in a variety of moist to relatively dry habitats; however, prefers moist, well-drained, nonalkaline loamy soils. Distribution: Occurs from Alaska throughout the northern to southwestern United States. Bearded wheatgrass is sporadic when present and found throughout North Dakota. Forage Value: The basal leafs are soft and palatable to all classes of livestock. Stems and seedheads are seldom grazed and often considered low in palatability. This species is considered a decreaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: The leaves of this species provides good forage for small mammals, rabbits, white-tailed deer, and mule deer during most seasons in North Dakota. The seeds are utilized to lesser extent by many songbirds due to the presence of awns. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Crested wheatgrass Species: Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae
Description: A tufted perennial bunchgrass 3.5-7 dm tall. Culms are erect, hollow to pith-filled. Leaf blades are flat, smooth to slightly pubescent on the upper surface, 2-17 cm long, 1.5-7 mm wide; ligules 0.1-1 mm long; auricles present. Spikes are dense, 2-8 cm long with spikelets overlapping, several times longer the internodes, strongly spreading, 3- to 6-flowered. Glumes 2-6 mm long, awnless or up to 3.5 mm long when present; lemmas awnless or bearing awns up to 5 mm long. Anthers 2.4-4 mm long. Origin: Introduced from Russia, classified as naturalized. Growing Season: A cool season grass starting growth in early April, flowering by early June. Habitat: This plant has been planted on previously cultivated lands, along dry roadsides and on revegetated rangeland. It has widely escaped revegetated areas in western and parts of eastern United States on to native prairie and into other domestic grass plantings. Crested wheatgrass was mainly planted on dry, medium-textured soils. Crested wheatgrass is also a major species for reseeding in sagebrush areas. Distribution: This species occurs from central Canada down to northern Arizona and New Mexico and from the Dakotas westward to the Pacific coast. Crested wheatgrass is commonly found throughout western North Dakota, becoming less prevalent as you go east, and rarely used in the Red River Valley. Forage Value: This species provides very good forage for all classes of livestock in the spring (May and June) when in the vegetative growth stage. Crested wheatgrass becomes very rank when mature and considered unpalatable unless livestock are forced to graze. It does provide good winter forage as a cured plant. Crested wheatgrass produces good hay when cut prior to seed set. Crude protein is greater than 20 percent in April, dropping to 10 to 12 percent by late May and less than 5 percent by August unless regrowth occurs. This species is considered an invader on native range. Wildlife Value: This species provides fair to good grazing value for small rodents, rabbits, white-tailed deer, mule deer, antelope, mountain sheep, and elk. It is used to a greater extent by mule deer, antelope, and mountain sheep. The seeds are used by songbirds and sharp-tailed grouse in North Dakota. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Tall wheatgrass Species: Agropyron elongatum (Host) Beauv. Synonym: Elytrigia elongata (Host) Nevski Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae
Description: A robust tufted, perennial bunchgrass covered with a whitish waxy coating that easily rubs off, 8-16 dm tall. Culms solid, erect. Leaf blades rolled inward, upper surface strongly 6- to 8-ridged, smooth to the touch to sparsely hairy, mostly 8-50 cm long, 2.5-7 mm wide. Leaf sheaths have small hairs along margins, otherwise smooth; ligules 0.1-0.7 mm long; auricles conspicuous. Spikes relatively open, especially below, 20-43 cm long; spikelets 5- to 11-flowered. Glumes blunt-tipped, the first is 6-9 mm long, the second 7-10 mm long; lemmas also blunt-tipped, 7-12 mm long; both glumes and lemma awnless. Anthers 3-6.5 mm long. Origin: Introduced from south Russia, considered naturalized in North America. Growing Season: A cool season grass beginning growth in mid to late April, and flowering by June until September. Habitat: Tall wheatgrass is a plant grown on cultivated areas to reestablish perennial grass cover. Commonly grown on waste grounds, roadsides, ditches, as cool-season plantings for hay and pasture, and in Conservation Reserve Program lands. This species has become especially important due to its ability to establish and maintain a stand on moist, moderately saline and alkaline soils. Distribution: This species occurs throughout the Great Plains but is most common in the central region. In North Dakota it can be found in the southern half of the state where it most commonly planted. This plant is probably planted throughout Minnesota. Forage Value: This plant is often considered a poorer quality feed, but it is more palatable than the coarse leaves and stems suggest. Tall wheatgrass provides fair to good forage for cattle and fair forage for sheep and horses when green and immature. This plant becomes rank and unpalatable when mature. It also makes excellent hay when harvested at or before heading and green. It provides a high yield either by itself or mixture with legumes. Crude protein levels range from 20 percent in early May, dropping to less than 10 percent by mid June, and below 5 percent by mid July. This species is classified as an invader when present in native pastures. Wildlife Value: This plant provides fair forage value for hoofed mammals and small mammals when immature but provides little to no feed value when mature. The seeds of tall wheatgrass are used to a small extent by sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, and some songbirds. Tall wheatgrass is best used by wildlife as nesting cover for upland gamebirds and waterfowl due to the tall cover provided. It also provides a protective habitat for many small and large mammals. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Pubescent wheatgrass Species: Agropyron intermedium (Host) Beauv. var. trichophorum (Link) Halac. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae
Description: A rhizomatous perennial 6-12 dm tall. Culms are solid and erect. Leaf blades stiff, rolled inward to flat, with many narrow ridges on the upper surface, rough to the touch as maturing, 5-28 cm long, 2-8 mm wide. Leaf sheaths smooth to rough, often finely haired on the margins; ligules 0.2-1 mm long; auricles usually pronounced. Spikes are relatively open, 13-22 cm long; spikelets 4- to 7-flowered with glumes blunt-tipped, smooth to pubescent, first glume slightly shorter than second, 5-9 mm long. Lemmas have coarse, long hairs, longest 8-11 mm long. Anthers are 2.5-5.5 mm long. Origin: Introduced from eastern Europe, classified as naturalized. Growing Season: This cool season grass species begins growth in mid to late April, starts flowering by June and flowers until September. Habitat: This species has been planted as pastureland and hayland, along roadsides, and in waste areas. Most abundant on dry, medium-textured soils, although adapted to a broad range of soil textures and soil moisture conditions. Distribution: Found in the western half of the United States, but rarely reaches Texas, Arizona, or southern California. This grass has been and is commonly found on reseeded cultivated lands throughout North Dakota and Minnesota, often associated with intermediate wheatgrass and alfalfa. Forage Value: This species provides good forage for most classes of livestock for all seasons, especially for early spring pasture and winter forage. When mature, the seeds are awned, causing reduced use by livestock. New varieties have been developed that produce good to excellent hay when cut prior to or at the heading stage. A high yield hay producer by itself or in a grass/legume mix. Crude protein is about 18-20 percent during the early vegetative growth phase, dropping to 5 to 9 percent at maturity. This species is considered an invader on native rangeland, although it will be grazed out with continued overuse. Wildlife Value: This species will provide fair forage for most hoofed and small mammals, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, and antelope in North Dakota. Since the seeds are awned, it is used only to a small extent by some songbirds. The plant provides excellent tall nesting cover for upland gamebird and waterfowl ingrass or grass/legume plantings. Pubescent wheatgrass can also provide escape habitat and protection for many small and larger mammals. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Intermediate wheatgrass Species: Agropyron intermedium (Host) Beauv. var. intermedium Synonym: Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. and D.R. Dewey Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae
Description: A rhizomatous perennial 6-12 dm tall. Culms are solid and erect. Leaf blades stiff, rolled inward to flat, with many narrow ridges on the upper surface, rough to the touch as maturing, 5-28 cm long, 2-8 mm wide. Leaf sheaths smooth to rough, often finely haired on the margins; ligules 0.2-1 mm long; auricles usually pronounced. Spikes are relatively open, 13-22 cm long; spikelets 4- to 7-flowered with glumes blunt-tipped, smooth to pubescent, first glume slightly shorter than second, 5-9 mm long. Lemma is blunt, sharply tipped, longest one 8-11 mm long. Glumes and lemmas awnless. Anthers are 2.5-5.5 mm long. Origin: Introduced from eastern Europe, classified as naturalized. Growing Season: A cool season grass beginning growth in mid April, flowering June through September. Habitat: This species has been planted as pasture and hayland, along roadsides, and in waste areas. Most abundant on dry, medium-textured soils, although adapted to a broad range of soil textures and soil moisture conditions. Distribution: Found in the western half of the United States, but rarely reaches Texas, Arizona, or southern California. This grass has been and is commonly found on reseeded cultivated lands throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Forage Value: This species provides good forage for most classes of livestock for all seasons, especially for early spring pasture and winter forage. It cures well, providing forage sought after by livestock in the fall when most grasses become unpalatable. It also produces good hay when cut prior to the heading stage. A high yield hay producer by itself or in a grass/legume mix. Crude protein is about 19 percent during the early vegetative growth phase, dropping to 6 to 10 percent at maturity. This species is considered an invader on native rangeland, although will be grazed out with continued overuse. Wildlife Value: This species will provide fair forage for most hoofed and small mammals, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, and antelope in North Dakota. The seeds will provide some feed for sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheasant and some songbirds. The plant provides excellent tall nesting cover for upland gamebird and waterfowl in grass or grass/legume plantings. Intermediate wheatgrass can also provide escape habitat and protection for many small and larger mammals. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Quackgrass Species: Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae
Description: A strongly rhizomatous perennial grass that grows from 5-11 dm tall. Culms are erect to reclining and pointing upward, hollow. Leaf blades are flat, smooth to somewhat finely hairy, 8-30 cm long, 5-9 mm wide. Leaf sheaths are smooth to somewhat minutely hairy; ligules 0.1-0.5 mm long; auricles usually conspicuous. Spikes are 4-19 cm long; spikelets 3- to 5-flowered; glumes sharply-tipped, 5-13 mm long, first one usually slightly shorter than second, unawned or bearing awns up to 3 mm long; lemmas unawned or awn-tipped with awns up to 5 mm long. Anthers 3-5.5 mm long. Origin: Introduced from Europe and Asia, considered a naturalized species in the United States and southern Canada. Growing Season: A cool season grass beginning growth in late April and flowering from July through August. Habitat: This species is usually thought of as a weed, frequently found in hay fields, cropland, gardens, ditches, or other moist disturbed areas. Quackgrass is most commonly found in hay fields and cultivated lands, rarely found on virgin prairie unless disturbed through heavy grazing pressure or scattered old cultivated fields present within for seed sources. Distribution: Quackgrass occurs throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Newfoundland south to North Carolina, west to Oklahoma, Colorado, and California, becoming most common north through the Great Plains states into southern Canada. It can be found throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Forage Value: Although this species is considered a pesky weed in cultivated lands, it can provide valuable hay and pasture wherever established. Quackgrass is very nutritious and palatable to cattle and horses, fair for sheep and goats. It provides a good spring and early summer forage and a valuable hay for winter feed. Quackgrass has similar feed value to most wheatgrasses with somewhat lower energy and total digestible nutrient (TDN) value than native wheatgrasses as it matures. Quackgrass in cultivated fields can make a valuable emergency forage in times of drought when pastureland is limited. Wildlife Value: This species provides good forage for many grazing and browsing wildlife species in the spring and again in the fall when crops are harvested and quackgrass regrows. The seeds are used by some songbirds, pheasants, gray partridge, and sharp-tailed grouse in the fall, usually becoming part of the diet when searching for grain from harvested crops and seeds from annual weeds. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Names: Western wheatgrass, Bluejoint, Bluestem Species: Agropyron smithii Rydb.
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae
Description: Strongly rhizomatous, glaucous, perennial 2.5-7 dm tall. Culms erect and hollow. The plant is typically bluish in color, particularily in the immature growth stage; joints are darker blue to purple in color than the remaining stalk. Leaf blades are usually stiff, rolled inward, strongly ridged above, 4-22 cm long, 1-5.5 mm wide; sheaths usually smooth, but rarely strongly pubescent; ligules 0.2-0.8 mm long, auricles conspicuous. Spikes 3-13 cm long, some of the nodes sometimes bearing 2 spikelets; spikelets 3-8 flowered; glumes broadest below the middle, tapering to an acute, acuminate, or awned tip, the overall length 5-13 mm, the first one slightly shorter than the second; lemmas 7-15 mm long, often with a short awn up to 2 mm in length. Anthers 3-5 mm long. Origin: Native Growth Season: A cool season grass which begins growing in mid to late April. Infloresences emerge in late June through late July, maturing in late July through September or about 110 days of growth for seed to ripen after leaves emerge. Habitat: This species is common on moist to dry soils and upland prairie. It grows in fairly dense stands on clay soils and possesses a high tolerance to saline-alkali soils. It is also well adapted to well-drained bottom lands. Often used in native grass seed mixtures for development of permanent pasture. Distribution: Occurs throughout the Great Plains; Ontario to British Columbia, south to Kentucky, Texas, and west central California. The species can be found throughout North Dakota and throughout the prairie region of Minnesota. Forage Value: Despite stiff leaves, this species is very palatable, nutritious and digestible to all classes of livestock. Sheep are particularly fond of the heads. It is a very important hay and pasture grass in the drier parts of North Dakota. Western wheatgrass is a fair yielder, producing approximately four times more forage than blue grama grass and as much as 2 tons per acre in spring flooded lowlands. Crude protein content in early May is about 18 percent and declines with maturity, dropping to less than 7 percent in October. This species makes excellent hay compared to other native grasses. Well cured western wheatgrass hay cut in the late leaf stage and just prior to heading will maintain a 50 to 60 percent digestibility. Western wheatgrass is considered a decreaser when exposed to long-term overuse but may increase with short-term overuse. Wildlife Value: Western wheatgrass is a suitable forage plant for elk, antelope and deer. Elk readily use this plant species when it is available. Sharp-tailed grouse, ringed-neck pheasant and several species of songbirds will use the seeds as food. Jackrabbits and cottontails use the plant for food, while the prairie drop vole will utilize both plant and seed. Other: Western wheatgrass is North Dakota's state grass. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Bluebunch wheatgrass Species: Agropyron spicatum (Pursh) Scribn. & Sm.
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Triticeae
Description: Strongly tufted perennial (bunch grass), sometimes producing short rhizomes. Culms erect, 1.5-7.5 dm tall. Blades involute to flat, smooth or sometimes pubescent, particularly on the upper surface, 2-25 cm long, 1-4 mm wide; sheaths smooth to pubescent; ligules 0.1-0.8 mm long; auricles prominent. Spikes open, 6-13 cm long; spikelets exclusive of awn, often shorter than or very little longer than the internodes of the rachis, 3-7 flowered; glumes acute-tipped or tapering to a short awn tip on some spikelets; lemmas awned with a strongly divergent awn 6-15 mm long or rarely unawned, the body of the lowest lemma 7-11 mm long. Anthers 3.5-6 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: This cool season grass begins growing in May and flowers from mid-July through August. Habitat: This plant occurs on dry mixed grass prairie and often abundant in the understory of ponderosa pine stands. Distribution: This plant occurs from Michigan to Arkansas, south and west to western Texas to northern California. It occurs in western North Dakota. Forage Value: This plant provides excellent forage for cattle and horses and good forage for sheep. The grass cures well and is considered good winter feed. Classified as a decreaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: This grass provides suitable forage for elk, deer, antelope and bison where available. Prairie dogs and ground squirrels will readily use both the vegetative plant parts and seeds as food. Jackrabbits and cottontails find this plant an attractive forage. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Names: Redtop, Redtop bent, Creeping bentgrass Species: Agrostis stolonifera L.
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Aveneae
Description: Strongly to weakly rhizomatous perennials, sometimes stoloniferous, 3-10 dm tall. Culms erect to reclining, stout to relatively weak. Blades flat at maturity, smooth to scabrous, 4-24 cm long, 1.5-6.5 mm wide. Sheaths smooth; ligules 1.5-7 mm long. Panicle often purplish when mature, open and loose to rather contracted, 8-22 cm long. Glumes acute, scabrous on the keels, subequal, 1.5-3 mm long; lemma 1.2-2.5 mm long; palea 0.5-1.5 mm long. Anthers 0.5-1.3 mm long. Origin: Introduced from Eurasia, naturalized. Growing Season: A cool season grass which begins growing in late April. Inflorescences emerge in late June and flower through August. Habitat: This species grows best on poor, low moisture soils. Found throughout the prairie occupying slough edges between the upland grasses and sedges growing in the water. Distribution: Introduced to most of the cooler areas of North America. Found in southern Canada and all regions of the United States except the southeast from Texas to Florida, New Mexico, southern Nevada, and central California. The species is found throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Forage Value: The palatability of this species has been rated low in North Dakota. Throughout North America, this species merits a rating of good for cattle and fair to fairly good for sheep. Although its palatability is low, redtop is better utilized from July on. Its crude protein value remains high at maturity whereas in most grasses the crude protein value drops off significantly. Classified as an invader on native rangelands. Wildlife Value: This species provides cover for ground nesting birds. It probably provides the best grazing value for deer and small rodents when in the vegetative growth stage. Seeds from this plant are used by some birds for food. Limited literature is available on the wildlife value of this species. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Big bluestem, Turkeyfoot Species: Andropogon gerardii Vitman Synonym: Andropogon furcatus Muhl. Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Andropogoneae
Description: Stout perennial, sometimes with short rhizomes, 0.5 to 2 m tall. Culms solid, grooved on one side. Blades with prominent midribs but not strongly keeled, flat to rolled in the bud, usually hairy, especially near the collar, 5-50 cm long, 2-9 mm wide; sheath slightly if at all keeled, smooth to hairy; ligule a fringed membrane 0.4 to 2.5 mm long. Inflorescence with 2-7 flower-bearing branches on a short axis at the end main branch; the flower-bearing branches not rebranched, the longest of them 4-11 cm long; rachis internodes and margins of pedicels thinly to rather densely hairy, the hairs relatively short, usually less than 3 mm long, seldom yellowish; glumes of sessile spikelets rough, subequal, 5-11 mm long; pediceled spikelets almost as long, 3.5-12 mm long. Anthers 2.5-4.4 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A warm season grass which begins growing in May and flowers July through October. Habitat: This species grows in prairies, moist soils, open woods, and roadsides on a wide range of soils and range sites. It is especially abundant in lowland prairies, wet overflow sites, and sandy areas. Distribution: Occurs in southern Canada, from Maine to Montana, south to Florida and New Mexico in the United States, and into Mexico. This species can be found throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Forage Value: This species is among the best of the prairie grasses in quality and quantity of forage produced. It provides excellent and highly palatable forage to all classes of livestock when actively growing, but becomes coarse late in the season and quality declines. Big bluestem makes good prairie hay. Crude protein content is 16 to 18 percent in May and early June maintaining a well-balanced nutritious forage into early August. Crude protein will drop below 6 percent in September and October. Abundance will quickly decrease with frequent haying or with heavy grazing pressure, considered a decrease with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: This species provides nesting and concealment cover for birds. Seeds are eaten by birds while hoofed browsers such as antelope, bison and whited-tailed deer eat the vegetative parts of the plant. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ]
Common Name: Species: Andropogon hallii Hack.
Family: Poaceae - Grass Family Tribe: Andropogoneae
Description: A strongly rhizomatous perennial that is covered with a white waxy bloom that rubs off easily, 6-15 dm tall. Culms are solid, grooved on one side. Leaf blades with prominent midribs, flat to rolled inward or outward, rolled in the bud, strongly ridged on the upper surface but not below, ridges often hairy or at least near collar, 3-40 cm long and 2-10 mm wide. Leaf sheaths are keeled; ligules a fringed membrane 3-4.5 mm long. Inflorescence with 2-7 floriferous branches on a short axis at the end of each main branch, the floriferous branches not rebranched, longest of them 4-7 cm long; rachis internodes and margins of the pedicels having thin to rather dense, long hairs, 3-5.5 mm long, whitish to yellowish in color. Glumes often with small, soft hairs, subequal, 6.5-12 mm long, borne on pedicels which are not grooved on both sides; awns of fertile lemmas absent or present up to 8 mm long. Anthers 4-6 mm long. Origin: Native Growing Season: A warm season grass starting growth in early May, flowering in late July, and dispersing seed in early October. Habitat: This species is commonly associated with sandy soils, becoming an important component of sandhill prairie in Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Distribution: Sand bluestem occurs from Minnesota west to Montana down to Iowa, Texas, and Arizona. This grass can be found throughout North Dakota where sandhill prairie occurs but is most commonly found in the southeast. This plant is known from only one county in Minnesota. Forage Value: This species provides good to excellent forage for most classes of livestock. It is not as palatable as big bluestem and seldom a major component of the vegetation where grazing pressures are applied, with the exception of sandhill prairie. This grass can be a dominant species in sandhill prairie, especially under proper grazing programs. It does not tolerate heavy use and is displaced by other more non-desirable plants when overused. It is classified as a decreaser with grazing pressure. Wildlife Value: This species provides good to excellent forage for grazing and browsing wildlife species, especially in the sandhill prairie regions. It is frequently utilized by white-tailed deer and antelope. Since the seeds are very pubescent, songbirds and prairie chickens have been known to pluck off the feathery parts and consume the seeds. [ Back to Index ] [ Home ] [ Glossary ] EB-69, 1998
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