Blue Bunch Wheatgrass

Pseudogenaria spicata

Poaceae

• Spokane Native
• USDA Zone 3-7
• Sun
• Size: 3’ x 3'
• Drought Tolerant: Yes
• Evergreen: No
• Flower Color: gray-green (May -August)

Attractive blue-green foliage forms distinctive clumps or bunches. Slender stems bear terminal spike-like seedheads with characteristic awns that stand out at nearly 90-degree angles from the stem. Grows 3 feet tall. Cool-season bunchgrass that cures well, remaining effective and attractive in the winter landscape.

Provides important forage for both livestock and native wildlife throughout western North America. Seeds are an important food source for birds and small mammals. The extensive, drought-resistant root systems help stabilize soil and suppress the spread of invasive weeds. Roots have a waxy layer that helps the plant resist desiccation in dry soils. Highly palatable to wildlife and livestock but not considered weedy or invasive.

This long-lived perennial native bunchgrass is ideal for warm, dry, sunny slopes and revegetation of degraded habitat. A major component of sagebrush-grassland communities and excellent for erosion control on disturbed soils. Extremely drought tolerant once established, adapted to medium to coarse soils. Likes warm, dry, sunny slopes. Low maintenance and widely used for ecological restoration projects throughout the Intermountain West.

Bluebunch Wheatgrass is the state grass of Washington.