Mammoth Wildrye

Mammoth wildrye is an introduced, long-lived, rhizomatous perennial grass.  It can be used to stabilize inland sand dunes, reclaim mine tailings and riparian areas, and in fire breaks.  It can also be used to provide nesting cover for upland birds.   It is fairly resistant to fire because the leaves and stems stay green all summer.  It performs best on well drained, coarse soils that are neutral or slightly alkaline.  It can grow on loamy soils but spread by rhizomes will be diminished.  Mammoth wildrye is not suitable for grazing because it is a coarse grass with low palatability.