Thinopyrum ponticum (Tall wheatgrass)
Formerly Agropyron elongatum and Elytrigia elongata. Cool season, late maturing, coarse, productive perennial bunchgrass growing to 5 ft. or more. Extremely saline and alkaline tolerant, able to establish on soils with pH of 10. Adapted to deep or shallow, well-drained and imperfectly drained soils; able to tolerate flooding and shallow water tables. Some drought tolerance. Generally good palatability year-round. Varieties listed below.
DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION
INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES
Family: Poaceae
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Graminoid
Native Status: Introduced
Season: Cool
Growth Form: Bunchgrass
Mature Height: 60 in.
Annual Precipitation: 10-28 in.
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
Elevation:
Fire Resistance: No
Fire Tolerance: Medium
SOIL ADAPTATION
Coarse Texture: Yes
Medium Texture: Yes
Fine Texture: Yes
Salinity Tolerance: High
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
pH Range: 6.6-10.0
SEEDING NOTES
Seeds per Pound: 75,300
Seeding Rate: 11-17 PLS lbs/acre
Season: Spring
Days to Germination:
VARIETIES
Alkar - Tall, high yielding forage producer adapted to wet, alkaline sites. Blue-green leaves. Very late maturing. Use for revegetation or pasture on saline and alkaline sites. (Released 1951)
Jose - Medium tall, high yielding forage producer adapted to warmer climates of the Southwest. Use for revegetation or pasture on saline and alkaline sites. (Released 1965)