Slender wheatgrass facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Slender wheatgrass
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Pooideae
Genus:	Elymus
Species:	E. trachycaulus
Binomial name
Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners
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Synonyms
Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis

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Elymus trachycaulus is a type of grass often called slender wheatgrass. It's a wild plant found across a large part of North America. You can see it growing from northern Canada all the way down to Mexico. It likes many different places, but you won't find it much in the southeastern United States.

About Slender Wheatgrass

Slender wheatgrass is a kind of wild rye. Wild rye is a group of grasses that grow naturally in many parts of the world.

Its Appearance

This grass can look a bit different depending on where it grows. But generally, it has a very thin, straight flower part. This part is made of small groups of flowers called spikelets. They grow close against the main stem.

Types of Slender Wheatgrass

There are three main types, or subspecies, of slender wheatgrass. Two of these types are found in many places. The third type only grows in Greenland.

Where Slender Wheatgrass Grows

Slender wheatgrass grows best in places that have a good amount of moisture. But it's also very tough! It can handle a lot of salt in the soil. This means it can grow in many different kinds of places.

Growing in Salty Soil

Scientists are very interested in how plants grow in salty soil. This is because our environment is changing, and farmers need ways to grow crops in more places. Studies have shown that slender wheatgrass is "superior" at growing in salty conditions. It can grow in high-salt areas where other grasses might struggle.

Plants that can grow in salty soil are very helpful. They can:

• Protect the soil from being washed away by wind or rain.
• Compete with unwanted plants (weeds).
• Use up extra water in the soil.
• Provide food for animals to eat.

Growing in Different Soils

Besides handling salt, slender wheatgrass can also grow well in both shallow and deep soils. It can quickly settle into an area and create a stable home for itself. This grass usually lives for 5 to 10 years. During that time, it produces many seeds, helping it spread and grow more.