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Native Plant Society of Texas

Western Wheatgrass

Pascopyrum smithii

Other common name(s):

Family:

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, High Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks
Flatwoods

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Shrubland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Birds

Maintenance

A blue-green turf grass that can be mowed. Widely used for erosion control. Spreads easily, give lots of room, or thin and reduce water to control growth. In wet years it may tend to crowd out other plants. Not common in plant nurseries but seeds are available commercially. Native habitat: hillsides, bottomlands, canyons, open woods, prairies, scrubland, swales and ditches with seasonal poor drainage.

Description

Blooms May-June A densely colonizing turf grass. Its dense, narrow, spikes occur at the top of stout stems. The entire plant is often covered with a white coating, lending a silvery caste to its blue-green leaves. The leaves are less than a quarter inch wide and, when dry, roll up longitudinally to display prominent ridges on the tops.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Agropyron molle, Agropyron smithii, Agropyron smithii var. molle, Agropyron smithii var. palmeri, Elymus smithii, Elytrigia smithii, Elytrigia smithii var. mollis

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment The best germination rates are achieved when fresh seeds are sown immediately after harvesting. The seeds can be directly sown in the field, or they can be started in a nursery or greenhouse. The ideal time to plant the seeds is in the early spring or fall when the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Elymus smithii prefers well-drained soil. Prepare a seedbed by removing weeds and rocks and loosening the soil. Mix the seeds with sand to spread them evenly and ensure they do not clump together. Broadcast the seed mixture onto the prepared seedbed and cover them with a very thin layer of soil, no more than 1/4 inch of soil. Do not bury the seeds too deep. Do not overwater as it can cause the seeds to rot. Germination takes about 10-14 days to germinate. The seeds can be collected from the mature spikelets in late summer or early fall and stored in a cool, dry place for later use. https://www.botanikks.com/plants/elymus-smithii-rydb-gould/566516/1
Rhizome Division Prepare a planting bed by removing weeds and rocks and loosening the soil. Dig shallow furrows in the prepared bed, making sure they are spaced apart to allow for their growth. Place the rhizomes in the furrows and cover with soil. Water the furrows well to moisten the soil and allow for good soil-to-rhizome contact. Water the plants regularly until they mature; it may take some time to establish fully. Dig healthy, mature parent plants carefully to avoid damaging them. Remove rhizomes that have formed and cut them into small sections around 2 to 3 inches long. https://www.botanikks.com/plants/elymus-smithii-rydb-gould/566516/1

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason