Elymus macrourus
Elymus macrourus is a species of grass known by the common names tufted wheatgrass and thickspike wildrye. It is native to northwestern North America in Alaska, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. It is also present in eastern Siberia.
This perennial grass grows in tufts of narrow, erect stems up to about 80 centimeters tall. It grows from a rhizome, resprouting to form new tufts. It also reproduces by seed.
This grass occurs in moist habitat types such as riverbanks, sand bars, and woodlands, often alongside willow species. It is also associated with prickly rose, western river alder, highbush cranberry, raspberry, northern bedstraw, alpine bluegrass, common fireweed, Tilesius wormwood, and rough bentgrass.
This grass easily colonizes disturbed habitat, such as areas recently cleared by fire. It is a useful species for revegetation in appropriate habitat. It helps prevent erosion.
