Western wheatgrass facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Western wheatgrass
Scientific classification
Genus:	Pascopyrum
Species:	smithii

Western wheatgrass is a type of grass. Its scientific name is Pascopyrum smithii. It's also called red-joint wheatgrass. This is because its stem joints can look reddish. This grass grows naturally in North America.

Where Western Wheatgrass Grows

Western wheatgrass is found across much of North America. It's a very common plant. This grass spreads underground using special stems called rhizomes. This helps it form a thick mat, like a sod.

You can find it in grasslands and prairies. It grows a lot in the Great Plains region. Sometimes, it's the main type of grass there. Western wheatgrass is so important that it's the state grass for North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Why Western Wheatgrass is Important

Western wheatgrass is a very useful plant. Many animals like bison and black-tailed prairie dogs eat it. It's also good food for farm animals like cows.

People use this grass to help land recover. If an area has been damaged or too many animals have eaten the grass, western wheatgrass can help it grow back. Scientists have even created different types of this grass. These types can grow well in various conditions. Some are even used for lawns that don't need much care.

This grass can handle being mowed. It usually does well if cut to about four inches high. However, it doesn't like shady places. When western wheatgrass grows strong, it can take over an area. This means it might be planted alone to cover a field.

See also

In Spanish: Pascopyrum para niños