Agropyron desertorum

Crested Wheatgrass is an extremely long lived bunch type grass with excellent drought resistance.  It is well adapted to the Interior Plateau region of British Columbia rarely planted in Coastal areas due to its susceptibility to root rot and intolerance of high moisture.  Crested Wheatgrass is particularly adapted to dry conditions.  Although it is considered to be invasive by some it is not particularly aggressive.  It is however very persistent when planted in areas where it is well adapted remaining productive for decades.  The Fairway Type, Agropyron cristatum, has smaller seeds, grows shorter and has finer leaves.  It is also more tolerant of moist conditions making it suitable for planting as a lawn in dryer climates.  Both types are excellent components for use in erosion control seed mixtures for the B.C. Interior.  As a Forage grass Crested Wheatgrass is best suited as a permanent pasture grass.  It can be cut for hay however regrowth is very poor and, as with many other grasses, the hay quality will deteriorate after heading.

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