Elymus villosus
Family:
Poaceae
Common Name(s):
Downy or silky wild rye
Flowering Time:
June
Fruit/Seed Maturation Sign:
Caryopsis (seed) turns tan
Fruit/Seed Collection Dates:
Mid August
Seed Cleaning:
None required
Storage:
Dry
Restoration Potential:
Proven performer
Notes
Of 240 seeds planted in a central Iowa demographic study, 210 (88%) germinated and 26 plants survivied to year 5; 27 flowered after an average of 4 years (Mabry 2023).
Experimental seed addition in a small field study resulted in establishment in over 52-94% of plots after three years (Brudvig et al. 2011).
Spreads through self-sowing, as downy wild rye has relatively low seed production and little to no vegetative spread (Barkely 1986, Gleason and Cronquist 1991).
Can become aggressive on rich sites and eliminate other species (Mabry, personal observation).
