ELYTRIGIA Copyright 2002, A.F. Cholewa, J.F. Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota / No portion of this guide may be duplicated without written permission of author.
 

Elytrigia repens





 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
At one time included in the more widespread genus Agropyron,
this is a small group of perennial grasses with creeping
rhizomes.  The inflorescence is a spike with one spikelet per
node.  Spikelets have several florets and are arranged in such
a way that the widest side abuts the rachis of the inflorescence
(as distinguished from the genus Lolium, the ryegrasses, in
which the spikelets are placed edgewise to the rachis).

2 species in MN; 1 native


Common species:
Elytrigia repens  (eh lih trig' ee ah   ree' pens) 
Synonyms:  Agropyron repens

Common names:  quack grass, witch grass

Origin and habitat:  Introduced from Eurasia and apparently 
with early settlers; a ubiquitous weed occurring in 
disturbed habitats.

Identifying characters:  A moderately tall (5-10 dm) perennial 
with widely spreading rhizomes with long internodes.  Leaf 
blades are somewhat keeled near the collar area; the uppermost 
leaf blades are horizontally spreading and the lowermost 
sheaths are often pubescent.  Ligules are short (up to 1 mm long) 
and there are also long auricles present at the collar.  The 
inflorescence is an erect spike with overlapping spikelets 
attached in a spiral fashion, and 8-10 mm long with several 
florets.  Glumes have convexly curved margins.  Lemmas are 
awn-tipped or long-awned with awns up to 5 mm.

Comments:  Initially considered to be of value as a forage 
grass, quack grass’ tendency to invade has made it one 
of our nasty weeds.  The long rhizomes can spread far 
and wide from an initial establishment site and the ability 
of even the smallest rhizome portion to be able to regenerate 
itself makes control is difficult.  Reported to have some benefit 
for urinary problems, quack grass roots are known to secrete a 
toxic substance that inhibits seed germination, allowing it to 
out-compete other species on disturbed sites.  Similar in 
general appearance to slender wheatgrass (Elymus 
trachycaulus) but rhizomatous.  The native species, 
Elytrigia smithii or western wheatgrass, is scattered 
throughout the southwestern half of the state.  It differs in having 
slightly longer spikelets with more slender glumes that taper evenly.

MAPS

ADDITIONAL SPECIES IN MINNESOTA:
E. smithii


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