Formerly K. cristata. Cool season, drought tolerant, medium-lived perennial bunchgrass adapted to moderately or well-drained soils. Cold and heat tolerant. Widely distributed; occurs in numerous native plant communities on rangelands, meadows, plains and open forestlands; up to 11,500 ft. elevation. Starts growth very early in spring and provides excellent early season forage for livestock and wildlife. Establishes easily and is a good choice for revegetating severely disturbed areas. Often used in native restoration as well as revegetating mined lands, heavy use areas and other disturbed soil surfaces. Varieties listed below.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Poaceae

Duration: Perennial, short-lived

Growth Habit: Graminoid

Native Status: Native

Season: Cool

Growth Form: Bunchgrass

Mature Height: 18 in.

Annual Precipitation: 14-20 in.

Drought Tolerance: High

Shade Tolerance: Tolerant

Elevation:

Wetland Indicator Status:

Fire Resistance: No

Fire Tolerance: High

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: Yes

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: No

Salinity Tolerance: None

CaCO3 Tolerance: High

pH Range: 6.0-8.0

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 2,315,000

Seeding Rate: 1-2 PLS lbs/acre

Season: Spring/Fall

Days to Germination: