Barley Grass (×Elyhordeum): A Native North American Hybrid Worth Knowing
If you’ve ever wondered about the fascinating world of native grasses, let me introduce you to a rather unique character in the plant kingdom: ×Elyhordeum, commonly known as barley grass. Don’t let that × symbol intimidate you – it simply means this is a natural hybrid between two grass genera, making it something of a botanical bridge-builder in the grass world.
What Makes This Grass Special?
×Elyhordeum is a perennial grass that represents a natural cross between Elymus (wildrye grasses) and Hordeum (barley grasses). This intergeneric hybrid showcases nature’s creativity, combining characteristics from both parent genera into something entirely its own. As a true North American native, this grass has been quietly doing its job in our ecosystems long before we started paying attention to native plant gardening.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This hardy grass has an impressive native range that spans much of North America. You can find ×Elyhordeum growing naturally across numerous states and provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, Manitoba, California, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Colorado, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. That’s quite a travel resume for a grass!
Should You Plant It in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While ×Elyhordeum is undoubtedly a legitimate native plant with an extensive natural range, detailed information about its specific garden performance, growth habits, and cultivation requirements is surprisingly scarce. This isn’t uncommon for hybrid genera, especially those that occur naturally in the wild but haven’t been extensively studied for horticultural use.
As a perennial grass, it likely offers the typical benefits you’d expect from native grasses:
- Deep root systems that help prevent soil erosion
- Tolerance for challenging growing conditions
- Low maintenance once established
- Potential wildlife habitat and food source
Growing Conditions and Care
Since specific cultivation information for ×Elyhordeum is limited, your best bet is to mimic the conditions where it grows naturally. Given its wide distribution across diverse climates and regions, this grass appears to be quite adaptable. Most native North American grasses prefer:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-draining soil (though many tolerate various soil types)
- Minimal watering once established
- Infrequent fertilization or none at all
The Bottom Line
×Elyhordeum presents an interesting case for native plant enthusiasts. While it’s certainly a legitimate native with an impressive range, the lack of readily available horticultural information makes it challenging to recommend for specific garden applications. If you’re curious about this grass and happen to find it available from a reputable native plant nursery, it could be worth trying – especially if you’re in an area where it occurs naturally.
However, if you’re looking for well-documented native grasses with proven garden performance, you might want to consider its parent genera instead. Look for Elymus species (wildrye grasses) or native Hordeum species, which are more commonly available and have better-established growing guidelines.
Sometimes the most interesting plants are the ones that keep a little mystery about themselves – and ×Elyhordeum certainly fits that description!
