Achnatherum hymenoides
Common Name(s):
Indian Ricegrass
Indian Millet
Synonym:
Oryzopsis hymenoides
Sandgrass
Flower:
Yellow
Blooms :
Jun
to:
Sep
Wide spreading panicle inflorescence with a single flower at the end of each hair-like branch
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Poaceae
Grass
Foliage:
Green
Numerous, mostly basal, blades slender, rolled, often as long as the culms; sheaths fringed on one margin only; leaves rolled in the bud; ligules up to 3/8 inch long, membranous, pointed, sometimes split; auricle absent.
Fall Color?
YES
Tan
Semi-Evergreen
Photo by:
Heading 6
Airy tan colored foliage and delicate seedheads persist after growing season
Oregon Native?
YES
West State Native?
YES
Origins:
East of the Cascades from BC to CA, E to Manitoba, MN, Western KS, Western TX & NM.
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
VL
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
NO
Firewise?
YES
Height:
8-30"
Spread:
24-36"
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Dry grasslands and deserts of the North American Intermountain basin: East of the Cascades from B.C. to CA, East to Manitoba, MN, western KS, western TX & northern Mexico
Soil:
Prefers sandy course textured soils in its southern areas of adaptation and can be found on sands, fine sandy loams, silt loams, clay loams, gravelly, rocky, to shale areas in the mid-northern areas of its adaptation
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Indian ricegrass stands respond well to light fertilization
Mulch:
None
Requires full sun, once established requires no supplemental watering, does not require fertilizer, allow some plants to go to seed
Long Term:
Winter:
Make sure soil in well-drained for moisture management as plant does not tolerate water-logged conditions
Spring:
Cut back the foliage to about 4-6 inches in the spring before growth resumes. When foliage is removed, spring growth will begin earlier. Old foliage left on the plant can delay the crowns warming and subsequent growth by as much as 3 weeks.
Summer:
Very low watering needed
Fall:
Grasses do not need to be cut down before winter. In fact, they are attractive when left standing and the foliage helps to insulate the crown of the plant.
General Care Comments:
This species should be seeded with a deep furrow drill at a depth of 1/2 to 1 inch on medium to fine textured soils and 1 to 3 inches on coarse textured soils. A deeper planting depth puts the seed in contact with moist soil conditions, which aids in germination
Common Problems
Does not tolerate poorly drained soils
Diseases:
Damping, leaf spot, rust
Insects:
Grasshoppers
Environmental Problems:
Indian ricegrass establishes slowly and new seedings should not be grazed until at least late summer or fall of the second growing season. New stands should not be grazed until the plants are reproducing by seed. Indian ricegrass benefits from grazing use
Pests:
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